News Details

DA mulls sale of cheaper pork amid soaring prices

NPO

•

February 18, 2025

PNA

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now looking into selling cheaper pork as an alternative option for consumers amid retail price spikes.

“Similar to rice where we introduce the Rice for All (RFA), we are also looking into the possibility that DA can also intervene doon sa posibilidad sa (for the possibility [of selling]) pork,” DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview on Monday.

For RFA, the DA is selling cheaper rice options in Kadiwa Centers and kiosks in public markets, and select MRT and LRT stations in Metro Manila.

De Mesa, however, said the details are yet to be finalized for pork including the target price and location of sale.

Pork prices remain high in Metro Manila at PHP380 to PHP480/kg. for pork liempo (belly); and PHP350 to PHP420/kg. for pork kasim (ham) as of Feb. 14, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo (price watch).

Besides pork, he said the DA is also studying the sale of more affordable chicken.
De Mesa, meanwhile, said the DA is “likely” to come up with the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork in March following the results of an initial study on spiking pork prices in the country.

“Those findings will be discussed and consulted with the stakeholders. Most likely this week, there will be (a) consultation na mangyari (that will happen),” he said.

De Mesa is also hopeful that local markets would comply with the MSRP on pork.

"Kaya nga tayo mag-set ng (That’s why we set the) MSRP for the compliance. At kaya nga merong pag-aaral muna and then susunod ang mga konsultasyon para lahat aware dun sa mga gagawing hakbang at para bago pa man din magkaroon ng paglalatag ng MSRP. So, iyong likelihood ng compliance mataas (That’s why we are also conducting a study first followed by consultations so that everyone is aware of the upcoming measures even before we set MSRP. So the likelihood of compliance is high),” he said.

Included in the study is the “reasonable” markup or profit margin from farmgate to retail prices, across the entire value chain.

Earlier, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said anything above PHP400/kg.-price level for retail pork is considered “unreasonable.”