Metro Manila pork prices hit P420/kilo – DA

MANILA, Philippines — The retail price of pork reached as high as P420 per kilo, based on the latest monitoring of the Department of Agriculture in Metro Manila markets, as a ranking DA official maintained that some traders are involved in overpricing as the farmgate price of pork remains stable.

In a chance interview during the opening ceremony of Livestock Philippines and Aquatic Philippines 2024 in Pasay yesterday, Agriculture Undersecretary for livestock Deogracias Victor Savellano said that concerned agencies, including the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry, should conduct inspections to identify the traders involved in overpricing.

“We have enough supply and the retail price (of pork) should be low. There are only traders who take advantage in certain areas,” Savellano said.

Based on the monitoring of the DA in Metro Manila markets, the retail price of pork belly or liempo ranged from P340 to P420 per kilo yesterday compared to the previous level of up to P400 per kilo on May 20.

“We should inform the people that there are areas where they can buy (pork) at lower retail prices,” Savellano added.

At the same time, he assured the public that there is enough supply of pork despite an increase in areas affected by African swine fever.