Mangaldan, Pangasinan is facing a pork supply shortage as transporters from Camarines Sur, the town’s primary supplier, have been unable to deliver due to recent weather disruptions.
The daily slaughter rate at the Mangaldan slaughterhouse has dropped by nearly half—from almost 100 pigs per day to just around 50.
“Stocks nalang talaga ang ibinebenta ngayon kasi wala na talaga ‘yung galing sa ibang probinsya,” Merle Cuison-Sali, the municipal agriculturist, said.
Local hog traders said 90 percent of their usual supply comes from the Bicol Region.
However, recent deliveries have stopped following Severe Tropical Storm #KristinePH that has battered Bicol.
"Wala sa ngayon, hindi pa kami nakakabiyahe dahil kay Bagyong Kristine,” Alex Fenuliar, a hog trader, said.
"Kakaunti talaga ang baboy ngayon," Richard Villaflor, another hog trader, added.
Despite the shortage, pork prices in Mangaldan’s public market remain stable, ranging from P300 to P320 per kilo, partly due to low demand.