SINAG urges gov’t to intervene in proposed tariff reduction on imported goods

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Sunday urged the government to intervene in the proposed tariff reduction on imported pork, chicken, and corn amid the surging fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflict.

“The proposed tariff reduction on imported pork, chicken and corn at this time, whatever the percentage may be, would be a stab in the back of the local agriculture sector and our national economy,” SINAG said in a statement.

SINAG explained that food imports rely on fuel, which is currently in the midst of a crisis. This will also destroy the local food supply, which will lead to higher food prices and increased food insecurity.

“Reducing the tariffs on imported commodities means abandoning support for local production. Increasing our dependence on food imports will further expose the country to the volatile and fragile global food supply that it cannot control,” the group said.

It pointed out that even increased imports of goods do not guarantee lower prices.

SINAG said pork imports surged from 300 million kilos in 2016 to 891 million kilos in 2025, while chicken imports increased from 250 million in 2016 to 545 million last year.

“Yet retail prices for both pork and chicken last year were elevated, with the percentage gap between farmgate and retail prices hovering between 90% and 120%,” the group said.

In March, the Foundation for Economic Freedom called on the government to cut corn import duties to a flat 5%, saying the current protectionist system is raising meat prices and encouraging corruption.

FEF wants the government to cut the out-of-quota tariff to five percent, effectively liberalizing corn imports.

The group said high corn tariffs are contributing to rising meat prices, since corn makes up 50 to 55 percent of livestock feed and 50 to 65 percent of poultry feed. Feed accounts for 50 to 70 percent of production costs for both pork and chicken.

Disruptions to petroleum shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered one of the world’s most crucial oil export routes, prompted fuel prices in the country to increase for weeks.

However, for the first time since the Middle East conflict began in late February, the cost of diesel is expected to decrease by P20.89 per liter, gasoline by P4.43 per liter, and kerosene by P8.50 per liter this week.

The estimated price adjustments are for April 14 (Tuesday) to April 20 (Monday), Garin said in a Facebook post.

"It’s based on the average of the last five days (of) international prices and comparing that to the average of the previous week," she said.

Garin said pump prices differ among gas stations, but the price adjustment estimates are the minimum rollback or bawas presyo. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News