The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to import pork due to the foreseen deficit in supply by the end of the year.
This was disclosed by DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa during an interview with the media on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
"Sa karneng baboy, doon ay medyo gipit tayo ng kaonti. Negative ten days, by the end of 2023," he said.
De Mesa said the deficit would be the result of the high demand for pork during these 'ber' months or holiday season.
"There might be a need na mag-import in the last quarter para masigurado na ngayon panahon ng kapaskuhan o holiday season ay hindi mamobrelema sa available stock," he said.
"'Yung import natin ang magke-keep ng balanse sa pangangailangan ng ating bansa. Kailangan iyon para make sure na-affordable pa rin yung karne ng baboy," de Mesa added.
The DA official said they are studying the possible enforcement of suggested retail price (SRP) on pork products.
"Magkakaroon tayo ng suggested retail price kung nakikita ng pamahalaan na merong problema. Chine-check na iyan ng ating opisina sa enforcement and inspectorate kung may problema," he said.
Aside from the pork demand, de Mesa mentioned that they are monitoring 98 barangays nationwide due to the active cases of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Last Monday, Oct. 10, two municipalities in Oriental Mindoro have been placed in a state of calamity due to ASF detection.
According to Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito 'Bonz' Dolor, three confirmed cases in the province originated from the barangays of Danggay and Bagumbayan in the Municipality of Roxas in the province.
Based on agriculture department's Bantay Presyo released on Oct. 10, pork kasim ranges from P260 to P330 per kilogram (kg)
While pork liempo costs P290 to P400 per kg.
