DA to look into high pork prices, may set MSRP

The Department of Agriculture will look into the high prices of pork and may consider issuing a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP), similar to what it has done with rice.

DA spokesperson Arnel Se Mesa said Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.  has observed that the retail price of pork is almost double the farmgate price.

"'Yung farmgate price ng baboy nasa P220. P200 to P220. Ang patong diyan normally P100 to P120. Dapat ang presyo ng baboy sa palengke maximum P350. But we are seeing P400 to P450 na kilo. So medyo talagang sabihin natin, merong quote-unquote pang-abuso rin sa presyo sa pamilihan," he said.

(The farmgate price of pork is around P200 to P220. The markup is normally P100 to P200, so the price of pork in the market should be maximum P350. But we are seeing P400 to P450 per kilo. So there really is 'abuse' of prices in the market.)

"Ganun din sa bigas eh. 'Yun landed cost mo ito, pero ang retail price mo ang layo, so ganoon din sa baboy. So talagang meron malaking kumikita," De Mesa added.

(That's also the same with rice. This is the landed cost, but the retail price is far from it. So really someone is profiting big.)

Earlier this month, the DA set a MSRP of P58 per kilo for premium imported rice, and said it will conduct a monthly review to see if this could be lowered in the coming weeks.

"Isa 'yan sa pinag-aaralan ngayon kung anong pwedeng gawin doon sa MSRP ng baboy. Kung makita ni Secretary very effective itong sa bigas, pwede rin naman i-apply sa ibang commodities," De Mesa said.

(An MSRP for pork is currently being studied. If the Secretary sees that the rice MSRP is very effective, it can be applied to other commodities.)

The Agriculture department added that despite the high pork prices, there is enough pork supply in the country. — BM, GMA Integrated News