THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will look into the high prices of pork and may consider issuing a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP), similar to what it has done with rice.
DA spokesperson Arnel Se Mesa said Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has observed that the retail price of pork is almost double the farmgate price.
“‘Yung farmgate price ng baboy nasa P220. P200 to P220. Ang patong diyan normally P100 to P120. Dapat ang presyo ng baboy sa palengke maximum P350. But we are seeing P400 to P450 na kilo. So medyo talagang sabihin natin, merong quote-unquote pang-abuso rin sa presyo sa pamilihan,” he said.
“Ganun din sa bigas eh. ‘Yun landed cost mo ito, pero ang retail price mo ang layo, so ganoon din sa baboy. So talagang meron malaking kumikita,” De Mesa added.
Earlier this month, the DA set a MSRP of P58 per kilo for premium imported rice, and said it will conduct a monthly review to see if this could be lowered in the coming weeks.
“Isa ‘yan sa pinag-aaralan ngayon kung anong pwedeng gawin doon sa MSRP ng baboy. Kung makita ni Secretary very effective itong sa bigas, pwede rin naman i-apply sa ibang commodities,” De Mesa said.
The Agriculture department added that despite the high pork prices, there is enough pork supply in the country. (GMA Integrated News)
