Pork dealers, vendors point to hog raisers as cause of high prices

Several pork dealers and vendors on Thursday said hog raisers were to blame for the high prices of pork products in the market.

According to Darlene Cay’s report on “24 Oras,” pork dealers said several hog raisers were taking advantage of the tight supply of hogs.

“Wala sa dealer, wala sa market, wala sa amin kundi nandoon sa farm. At saka ang nangyari noon talaga sa supply na nagkaubusan, nagpataasan ng kuha. Noong sa amin na-experience ko P130 pinakamahal na namin ‘yon eh. May kinikita na noon ang farm owner, lahat may kinikita na doon,” dealer Randy Tanael said.

Alex Fesalbon agreed with Tanael, saying they are only vendors and not the source.

“Bakit po sa palengke sila mag-aano eh katulad namin producer lang po kami, dapat po ‘yong source. ‘Yong farm po napakataas po ng presyo sa farm,” Fesalbon said.

The Manila Meat Dealers Association also took issue with the farmgate prices of pork.

Ricardo Chan blamed hog raisers for the high prices of pork in the market.

“Tama lang naman po ang pagdedeklara ng price ceiling ng government eh kasi po masyado na pong nagsamantala ang mga hog raisers dahil nga po sa supply and demand,” Chan said.

“Pero ang totoo naman, bakit po sa Davao? Magkano lang ang farmgate nila? Davao pa po ‘yan tapos dinadala pa rito sa Maynila. May mga transportation cost ‘yan,” he added.

Hog raisers have said the production cost for pork went up after several pigs were culled due to the outbreak of the African swine fever.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ordered the imposition of a price cap on pork and chicken for 60 days in Metro Manila amid an increase in prices.

The price ceiling will take effect on February 8.

However, some retailers warned that they would not sell pork during the 60-day implementation of the price cap to avoid losses and penalties for violation.

Duterte on Wednesday approved the creation of an inter-agency task group that will run after profiteers, hoarders and smugglers of agricultural products.

The Department of Agriculture said the task force will initially go after unscrupulous traders, viajeros, and wholesalers who have unreasonably jacked up the prices of hogs and pork, hovering at more than P400 per kilogram that persisted even beyond the 2020 Christmas season and despite reduced demand. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News