Imported pork sold in NCR supermarkets to be covered by price ceiling — Palace

Imported pork being sold in supermarkets in Metro Manila will soon be covered by the price cap, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gave its commitment during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“Kahapon po, nangako ang DTI sa pamamagitan ni Secretary [Ramon] Lopez na henceforth magkakaroon po ng label na imported ang baboy na binibenta sa supermarket,” Roque said at a press briefing.

“At kapag ito ay imported na baboy nga, subject na rin po siya sa price cap.”

At present, only public or wet markets are covered by the price ceiling on pork and chicken as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte. The price cap will be implemented starting February 8.

Citing government data, Roque said the local hog raisers spend P172 to produce a kilo of pork while imported pork (Canada) costs P114.35 per kilo, inclusive of tariff.

“Ano ba ang pagkakaiba ng baboy sa supermarket at baboy sa palengke?” Roque asked.

“Sabihin mo nang mayroon silang mga additional overhead, eh kapag sila naman ay nag-angkat, mas mura kaysa doon sa binili sa lokal. So ngayon po patas.”

Agriculture Secretary William Dar earlier said that a "good number" of supermarkets are selling pork at much lower prices than public or wet markets. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News