DA sets SRP on pork in Metro Manila

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday issued new suggested retail prices (SRP) for pork products sold in the National Capital Region.

In its Administrative Circular No. 14, s. 2020, the DA set the following SRP on pork, “applicable within Metro Manila wet markets and supermarkets”:

• Pork (Kasim/Pigue) - P260.00 per kilo
• Pork (Liempo) - P280 per kilo

The Agriculture department said that the prevalence of African swine fever (ASF) affected supply and resulted in the increase of retail prices of pork in Metro Manila despite the sufficiency of local supply.

“The Department of Agriculture [has] observed and monitored some manipulative and speculative behaviors among traders and retailers in Metro Manila, resulting in higher prices than other regions,” it said.

The imposition of SRP on pork products is aimed to protect the interest of the general public, the DA said.

Last week, the DA announced it was investigating a possible collusion among hog traders to withhold the release of pork products in the market, which caused prices to jack up. 

As of October 21, prices of kasim or pork ham reached P320 per kilo and liempo or pork belly at P360 per kilo in most Metro Manila public markets, P20 to P40 more compared to P300 and P320, respectively, two weeks ago, according to the Agriculture department.

The DA is also looking at whether the high prices were a result of inefficiencies in the supply chain.

It will ask the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to also conduct a parallel probe for possible violation of the Philippine Competition Act by traders who may be manipulating pork supply. -NB, GMA News