The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Sunday that hog industry stakeholders commit to self-regulate and enforce compliance with the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork, amid alarmingly low adherence rates.
According to the DA, fewer than 10 percent of pork sellers observe the MSRP, prompting the private sector to pledge stricter internal policing to curb profiteering. Undersecretary for Livestock Dante Palabrica emphasized that compliance is crucial to avoid government-imposed interventions and to balance the needs of consumers, retailers, and producers amid rising inflation.
The MSRP is set at P300/kg for pork carcass, P350/kg for ham and shoulder cuts, and P380/kg for belly. Yet recent market prices have exceeded these rates, with pork belly reaching up to P470/kg in Metro Manila.
To address supply and pricing issues, the DA is also launching a P1-billion swine repopulation program, distributing 30,000 gilts to farms to help restore hog inventory levels. Additionally, Food Terminal Inc. has begun sourcing pigs directly from farms to stabilize supply and support price controls.
Palabrica urged full industry cooperation to ensure the success of these measures and safeguard consumers from price exploitation.
