Pork prices in NCR rise to as much as P480 per kilo

Pork prices in the National Capital Region (NCR) have soared to as much as P480 per kilo, prompting a group of farmers to call for a maximum suggested retail price on pork.

According to the Department of Agriculture's data, the price of pork belly now ranges from P380 to P480 per kilo while pork ham or kasim ranges from P340 to P420 per kilo.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura said pork prices in NCR are too high considering its farmgate price.

"From P220 to P240 ang farmgate price so pinakamataas dapat nasa 380," So said.

He indicated that the prices in the provinces were within the acceptable range.

"Nasa P380 to P400 yung liempo so yung kasim nasa P350 to P360."

The group said it was about time the DA considered putting a maximum suggested retail price on pork in Metro Manila.

"Nagkaroon kami ng usapan mi sec na mag set ng meeting para ma check yung retail price dahil sobrang mataas yung P480 and siguro magkaroon ng set ang retail price doon sa merkado," So said.

"Kailangan siguro kasi sobrang mataas yon ang we think maski ang farmgate umabot ng P240 hindi dapat ganun ang presyo ng retail," he added.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this was being considered.

"Ngayon ko pa lang uupuan talaga yan to see the whole value chain kung saan napupunta margin na 100 to 150 peso," Tiu Laurel said. –NB, GMA Integrated News