The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering implementing a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork as early as next month to address rising pork prices in the Philippines. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the importance of careful data analysis before any final decision is made to avoid negative effects on the sector.
Tiu Laurel’s remarks came after visiting the Commonwealth Market in Quezon City, where he confirmed that the DA is studying the issue in-depth. Initial findings suggest that price discrepancies are more likely linked to agents, middlemen, and slaughterhouses, rather than retailers. However, pork sellers in the area have maintained that retail prices reflect broader supply chain challenges.
“We have been studying this since last week, and we want to ensure we gather accurate information before acting,” Tiu Laurel said. The DA is focused on finding a solution that addresses the significant gap between the farm-gate price of pork, which currently stands at P240 to P250 per kilogram, and the retail price, which is reportedly as high as P400 per kilogram.
The proposed MSRP aims to curb profiteering and stabilize market prices, which have become a source of concern for consumers. The DA’s decision will hinge on their confidence in the gathered data. With retail prices ranging from P350 to P480 per kilogram in Metro Manila markets, consumers may soon see some relief if the DA moves forward with the plan.
In light of the 7.3 percent drop in domestic hog production in the fourth quarter of 2024 and a 21.9 percent increase in pork imports, the DA’s pork price management signal significant changes in how the market functions. If implemented, the MSRP could affect not just consumers, but also the broader supply chain, including farmers, middlemen, and importers.
