MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to release a new suggested retail price (SRP) on pork next week alongside the implementation of increased tariff.
“We will have a new SRP based on this EO that will set the new tariffs,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.
The official added that consumers will surely benefit from the SRP and the supply of pork will be replenished through importation.
Dar added that this is just among the solutions of the government to address the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) on the local hog industry.
Coinciding with this measure is the ingoing repopulation of hogs.
Meanwhile, the price of pork in major markets in Metro Manila remains at P340 to P400 per kilogram.
Based on the estimate of the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA), they can still supply pork at P320 per kilogram retail price.
This is much lower than locally produced meat even after the government’s newly imposed tariff on pork.
“Ngayon pagtaas uli ng 5% siguro baka mga P315/kg or P320/kg. Baka dyan po babagsak ang bagong SRP,” said MITA president Jess Cham.
But for the group, Samahan ng Industriyang Agrikultura (SINAG), the price of imported pork should drop further because the cost of importation is way cheaper.
The group argued that the government is losing about P13 billion on tariff thus it is just for consumers to enjoy lower price of pork meat.
“Iyong suggested retail price ng imported ay gawing P200 para at least ay pumunta doon sa consumer yung nawala na taripa,” said SINAG president Rosendo So said.
Currently, DA’s SRP on imported pork ranges from P270 per kilogram to P350 per kilogram. MNP (with reports from Rey Pelayo)
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