The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering the possibility of offering subsidized pork through its Kadiwa rolling stores nationwide, as part of efforts to manage the implementation of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for the meat set for March. The move is aimed at addressing the widening gap between farm-gate and retail prices, which currently sees pork sold at P400 per kilogram or more, a figure the DA deems “unreasonable.”
In a statement made in Quezon City on Monday, DA assistant secretary Arnel de Mesa explained that the proposal was still in its early stages. “We are looking at the possibility of intervening, similar to our rice-for-all (RFA) program, but for pork. The details are not yet firm,” he said. The RFA program, which facilitates the sale of subsidized rice through Kadiwa outlets, could serve as a model for the pork initiative.
The DA has long flagged concerns over high retail pork prices, particularly as the current farm-gate price of hogs hovers around P240 to P250 per kilogram. To mitigate this price disparity and curb profiteering, the department has pushed for the implementation of an MSRP, although the exact price level is still under review. According to DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the MSRP decision will hinge on the thoroughness of data collected to ensure no unintended consequences for the sector.
The possibility of offering pork through Kadiwa rolling stores is still under study, with officials indicating that sourcing details remain to be finalized. However, the policy’s implications could be significant, as it may help bring down pork prices in the market and offer consumers a more affordable option, while stabilizing the pork supply.
With the Department also monitoring market conditions, recent data indicated that pork prices in public markets in the National Capital Region ranged from P350 to P420 per kilogram for pork ham and P380 to P480 per kilogram for pork belly. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, pork production had dropped by 7.3%, and the country had imported a substantial 671.56 million kilograms of pork, making up over half of total meat imports for the period. This highlights both a supply-side challenge and the need for interventions to address the rising costs.
