Pork is no longer just expensive now because in some supermarkets, its price is almost equal to the minimum wage.
According to the Quezon City Veterinary Office, the price per kilo of pork belly has reached P479, P485 for pork steak, P495 for ground lean pork, P505 for pork chop skinless, and P539 for baby back ribs.
“Noong may price ceiling, ‘di pa rin tayo tumataas nang ganoon sa mga groceries, ngayon talaga na super,” said Quezon City veterinarian Dr. Ana Marie Cabel.
“Hindi namin alam kung paano iko-control eh. Mino-monitor lang namin, nire-report lang namin pero wala namang aksiyon na nangyayari kasi eh,” she added.
According to Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association President Steven Cua, local government units (LGUs) should also monitor the price in supermarkets.
“Sana they could empower the LGUs, probably a few kagawads in the barangays na once in a while, ‘di naman kailangang araw-araw, random, check lang sa supermarkets and probably send the reports to DA (Department of Agriculture) para at least they are aware of what’s happening,” said Cua.
In the markets, the number of liempo increased to P400 and P420 per kilo.
Price of pork in some supermarkets reaches P500
As a result, there are those like Lino Tapala who are gradually switching to buying cheaper imported meat.
“Dapat ‘yong sariwa pero ‘pag ‘yong mga binababad o adobo, puwede na rin ‘yong frozen kasi mas mura,” he said.
But according to the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (ProPork), the farmgate price today is P240 per kilo and should not reach P400 per kilo in the market.
“Dapat ang presyo sa palengke, P350 to P370, hindi dapat umabot ng P400,” said ProPork Vice President Nicanor Briones.
The DA is already considering re-applying the suggested retail price to pork but the agency is also taking care not to aggravate hog raisers and consumers.
“Manipis na nga ‘yong supply ng baboy, sinasamantala ulit ng mga traders ‘yan,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
“Bakit umaarangkada ulit sa P400, I don’t know,” he added.
Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua reiterated that through the executive order (EO) that lowers the tariff on imported meat, the market price of pork will be reduced to P215 to P222 per kilo.