Mindanao to bring surplus pork to Luzon

MINDANAO, Philippines — Mindanao will bring its excess pork supply to Luzon to boost inventory amid the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Department of Agriculture spokesman Noel Reyes said the DA is coordinating with hog raisers in Mindanao to transport its surplus pork to meet the demand in Luzon.

“We are just negotiating on the price and quality of pork,” Reyes said.

He said Davao could supply up to 500 metric tons of pork per month while General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro could supply 3,000 MT to Metro Manila.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura had earlier said bringing surplus pork from Mindanao and the Visayas to Luzon would balance the demand.

“Pork from Mindanao will help fill the need of our supermarkets while pork from Luzon will continue to supply our local wet markets and pamilihang bayan,” Sinag said.

Cold storage facilities in Southern Mindanao and the Visayas are filled to capacity with pork stocks for more than three months.

The ECQ in Luzon has resulted in an increase of pork supply, with demand going down by at least 20 percent as major fast food chains, restaurants and tourist  areas remain closed.