The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) imposed maximum suggested retail prices (MSRPs) on pork sold in Metro Manila beginning Friday to curb price spikes ahead of the Christmas holiday season.
Under a new administrative circular, pork liempo (pork belly) is capped at P370 per kilogram, while kasim (shoulder) and pigue (ham/leg) are limited to P330 per kg. across public and private wet markets in the National Capital Region.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move seeks to temper retail prices that have surged in recent weeks despite lower farm-gate rates.
“We have to restore some sanity in the retail price of pork, a favorite protein source among Filipinos that is in high demand especially during the Christmas season,” he said.
The DA’s Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service (AMAS) earlier reported liempo prices reaching up to P480 per kg. in early November.
Tiu Laurel noted that the price ceilings were finalized after consultations with meat retailers and other industry players. He said farm-gate prices had dropped low enough to threaten the viability of small and medium hog raisers.
The DA previously agreed with hog producers to set a minimum farm-gate price of P210 per kg. to help stabilize grower margins.
Livestock Undersecretary Danta Palabrica recommended the new MSRPs, following a supply and demand assessment showing that local production remains sufficient for Metro Manila’s needs. The findings were validated during a Nov. 22 online meeting with industry stakeholders.
The Bantay Presyo Technical Committee, working with the livestock office and AMAS, developed the MSRPs based on historical liveweight, wholesale and retail price trends.
The agency issued the circular under its authority to set suggested retail prices for essential commodities. The order takes effect immediately upon publication and will remain in force until revoked.
