With pork prices reaching P400 per kilo at the Mangaldan Public Market in Pangasinan, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) are investigating the increase, considering that there is no recorded rise in farmgate prices.

SINAG said the price of pork in Pangasinan rose by P15 to P20 per kilo based on their monitoring.

“Tsini-check naming kung saan galing ang mga baboy nila bakit tumaas ng P20,” Engr. Rosendo So, chairman of SINAG, said.

Vendors said the price hike came after the Mangaldan slaughterhouse raised its liveweight fee to P250 per kilo.

Vendors said they are lucky if they can sell pork four to five times a week now, unlike before when they sold every day.

“Hindi na kami masyado nakakapagbenta, medyo nalulugi na rin kasi, kaya lang kahit maliit ang kita magtinda para hindi mawala ang mga suki namin,” Marilou Velasquez, a pork vendor, said.

“Hindi na kami masyado nakakapagbenta, medyo nalulugi na rin kasi, kaya lang kahit maliit ang kita magtinda para hindi mawala ang mga suki namin,” Marilou Velasquez, a pork vendor, said.

Vendors fear that prices could climb even higher in the coming days.

Many have already decided to stop selling pork due to the tough conditions.

“’Yung iba humihinto na sa pagtitinda kasi talagang pahirapan na ang presyo,” Velasquez added.

Shoppers are also feeling the pinch, saying their money no longer goes far when buying meat.

“’Yung isang libong dala mo ngayon kulang na kulang na, kaya kapag namamalengke ako P2,000 ang dala-dala ko,” Analyn Idor, a shopper, said.