News Details

DA Sets New Pork Price Cap to Stabilize Holiday Market

NPO

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December 5, 2025

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork products below PHP400 per kilo in anticipation of heightened demand during the Christmas season.

Under the DA’s new administrative circular, the MSRP for pork liempo (belly) is set at PHP370 per kilo, while pigue (ham) and kasim (shoulder) are capped at PHP330 per kilo.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the price ceiling follows extensive consultations with hog industry stakeholders, noting that stabilizing retail prices is crucial amid recent market volatility.

“We have to restore some sanity in the retail price of pork, a favorite protein source among Filipinos that is in high demand, especially during the Christmas season,” he said.

According to the DA’s Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service, pork belly prices had surged to as high as PHP480 per kilo in parts of Metro Manila earlier in November.

“Those prices are absurd given how farm-gate prices have fallen recently, threatening the viability of small and medium-sized hog raisers,” Tiu Laurel added.

As of Wednesday, retail prices in Metro Manila ranged from PHP280 to PHP390 per kilo for ham and PHP320 to PHP470 for pork belly, based on the DA’s Bantay Presyo monitoring.

To further protect producers, the DA has set a minimum farm-gate price of PHP210 per kilo, preventing excessively low buying prices that could undermine local hog raisers.

NPO News Team | PNA–PR