The price of pork in some markets in Metro Manila hit P400 per kilo again, 3 days before the existing price ceiling expires.
At the Tandang Sora Market in Quezon City, the price of kasim and pigue is P400 to P420 per kilo while kasim and pigue are priced at P370 per kilo.
In Kamuning Market, liempo costs P390 per kilo and kasim and pigue P370 per kilo.
The price cap, which is expected to end on April 8, for kasim and pigue is P270/kilo while for liempo it is P300/kilo. The price ceiling for chicken is P160/kilo.
According to the sellers, next week, kasim and pigue will cost P400 per kilo while liempo will cost P420.
Some traders also had difficulty finding pigs to transport this Monday because the “pig holiday” or non-selling of pigs has already begun.
The “pig holiday” was staged due to the possible increase in the minimum access volume to imported meat of 404,000 metric tons equivalent to 8 million pigs.
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Pork prices hit P400 per kilo in some markets
“Iniipit nila ‘yong mga baboy nila. Hayaan nila ipitin nila ‘yong baboy nila,” said Metro Manila Traders Association President Ricardo Chan.
According to the pig farmers, they will not stop as long as their call is given attention.
“Talagang pinabayaan na ni [Agriculture Secretary] Dar ang ating mga magbababoy,” said Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Vice President Nicanor Briones.
“May African swine fever, may sobra-sobrang importation, may smuggling, may ‘tongpats’ na nangyayari sa DA (Department of Agriculture) at diyan sa Customs,” he added.
The DA seems to be just shrugging off the “pig holiday.” Instead, they just begged the sellers to lower the price.
“We are still encouraging them to really market their hogs, kasi sila rin malulugi kung di nila ibebenta,” said Dar.
According to the DA, they will issue a recommendation to the president on whether to extend the price ceiling and affect other provinces or implement the suggested retail price before April 8.