Consumers may need to brace for higher pork prices as the “ber” months begin, a period traditionally marked by stronger demand and tighter supply.
According to the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, the farm-gate price of pork could climb from the current average of P190 per kilo to as much as P230 per kilo. This jump could push retail prices to around P350 per kilo.
“‘Ber’ months na, of course, tataas na ulit ang mamimili ng local [pork] so expected na tataas na rin ang farm-gate price,” said federation president Eric Harina in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
Harina pointed out that despite relatively lower farm-gate prices, retail prices remain high, ranging between P330 and P380 per kilo. He attributed this gap to weak production, worsened by the continuing African Swine Fever (ASF) threat, with farmers still awaiting the release of a commercial vaccine.
He added that production also slowed during the rainy months of July and August, when pigs are more prone to sickness. “Last year 2024, nasa 8.7 million, ngayon nasa 8.8 million barely 100,000 increase… mahina ang produksyon,” Harina noted.
Local producers are also feeling the pinch from cheaper imported pork, which sells for P240 to P300 per kilo, making domestic products less competitive. “Ang imported nasa P240 to P300 per kilo… ‘Yung local napansin namin na matumal dahil mas mura ang imported ngayon,” Harina said.
To help farmers and consumers alike, Harina suggested cutting out middlemen and ensuring a more direct farm-to-market system for pork distribution.
