Ham, lechon prices up as Christmas nears

Prices of Christmas staples ham and lechon have shot up, due to high demand amid the holiday season and the impact of the African swine fever on the sector.

According to a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, prices of bone-in ham have been hiked by as much as P20 to P1,600 from P1,580 in Quiapo.

Meanwhile, prices were stable for other ham products such as Chinese ham at P1,540; de-boned ham stable at P1,460; and scrap ham stable at P1,440.

Prices of lechon have also increased by P500, with prices in La Loma now ranging from P6,500 to P15,000 depending on the size, versus the previous prices of P6,00 to P10,000.

Producers say they are set to increase prices anew once the Simbang Gabi season starts, citing issues on supply.

Latest data available from the Department of Agriculture (DA) indicate that pork ham prices average P330 per kilogram, and pork belly at P360.00 in Metro Manila as of December 2, 2021. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News