Meat vendors react to planned price ceiling

Several meat vendors in Metro Manila raise their concern over loss of income with the implementation of a 60-day price cap on pork and chicken, according to Maki Pulido’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

The vendors were reacting to Executive Order No. 124 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, setting price ceilings of P270 a kilo for “kasim/pigue” and P300 per kilo for “liempo,” and P160 a kilo for dressed chicken.

Meat vendors have to spend on the processing of meat that include shipping, processing permits, and slaughter of the hogs before they are sold in the market.

Mylene Nagcullang, a pork dealer in Commonwealth market in Quezon City, said the farm gate price or price of live weight of pork per kilo costs P190.

She sources her pork supply directly from Iloilo, the hogs will be shipped to Manila and will cost additional P40 per kilo for the transportation, veterinary and African Swine fever-free permit.

She said from the 90-kilo live weight of the hog, it will decrease to a 68-kilo carcass. She also has to pay P3 per kilo payment for the slaughter of the hog. This means her capital is at P307 per kilo.

“Kasi liliit ‘yong baboy niya eh. Nabili mo ng P190 ‘yan tapos transport… so, i-add on mo ‘yong ile-less mong kilo doon sa baboy,” SINAG chairman Rosendo So said.

Nagcullang adds P50 as a margin of profit to augment the other expenses incurred while selling pork.

Liempo, considered a prime part, is sold at P350 per kilo which also makes up for the sale of the other parts of the slaughtered hog.

Meat vendors say they will lose their income if the price ceiling will be imposed.

“Lagi kami ‘yong sinisita pero pansin ko hindi nila inaaral mabuti. Sana nagkaroon muna ng research before magkaroon ng solution and answer kasi ang nangyari, nagkaroon ng title, walang hypothesis and conclusion pero may solution and answer na agad,” she said.

Meanwhile, Bunny Pabua, a chicken retailer, said she will not be able to make ends meet.

“Hindi po kaya. Eh pumapatak po na P155 ‘yong puhunan namin nito so P5 lang sa’min? Hindi po kaya ‘yon. Umuupa po kami tapos tubig pa, ilaw, lahat, tauhan tas minsan may matira pa. Kakapit kami sa Bumbay para makabayad ng manok,” Pabua said.

Under the EO, the imposition of the price ceiling may be extended provided there is a recommendation from the Department of Agriculture and approval of the President.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar has blamed unscrupulous traders and wholesalers for the spike in pork prices amid the ASF outbreak. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News