PUBLIC market prices for pork and chicken vary amid the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in several provinces.
According to a ”24 Oras Weekend” report on Saturday, August 17, pork vendors have begun to lower their prices.
Monitoring from the Department of Agriculture (DA) shows the price of liempo at P305 per kilogram and kasim dropping by P10 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, retailers of chicken and eggs have increased prices as consumers look for alternative sources of protein.
“No choice but chicken or beef, kasi nga ‘yung health ng family mo at stake sa pork. So, iwas muna,” said a customer.
“Tumaas po talaga kumpara sa nakaraang buwan [ang presyo ng manok]. P220 po sa buo [ng manok]. P240 po ang choice cut namin, hanggang P250 po,” said chicken retailer Rosana Torla.
The ASF outbreak has had a devastating effect on the national hog population, which dropped from 12.7 million in 2019 to an estimated 9.9 million by the end of 2023.
According to the Bureau of Animal Industry, ASF has spread across all 17 regions of the Philippines and affected 74 provinces.
As of August 8, 64 municipalities in 22 provinces had reported active ASF cases.
The DA is funding a program on swine repopulation.
“May nakalaan na dalawang bilyon para sa repopulation na ngayon ay gumugulong na,” said DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Constante Palabrica.
The DA also reassured that infected pork products would not reach markets.
“‘Yung galing sa north, hindi pupunta sa south. ‘Yung south, hindi pupunta ng north… Mahigpit ang NMIS (National Meat Inspection Service). Kapag ka dumaan ka doon, mayroon kang tatak ng NMIS at sigurado ang ating mga consumer na ito’y malinis at walang sakit itong mga karneng ito,” said Palabrica. (GMA Integrated News)
