Hog producers back max SRP for pork

March 8, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — A hog raisers’ group backed the decision of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to implement a maximum suggested retail price (SRP) for pork products starting Monday to address the high retail price of the commodity.

In a radio interview yesterday, Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines president Rolando Tambago said that the maximum SRP of P350 for pork shoulder and P380 for pork belly is necessary, as the retail price of P480 per kilo is too high.

“We are supporting the maximum suggested retail price, as in the past the retail price of pork belly reached as high as P480 per kilo,” Tambago said.

He acknowledged that the pork industry is affected by pork consumption, because of the high prices on meat products. 

Tambago noted that the farmgate price of pork is only P230 per kilo.

“The biyaheros – transporters of agricultural products – put additional cost ranged between P70 and P80 (per kilo) and the retailers will add P50 (per kilo) that will cover their profit and their operation,” he said.

Tambago added that while the production of pork was affected by African swine fever (ASF), P480 per kilo is not reasonable.

“We cannot determine who benefits from the P480, but definitely somebody is earning from the supply chain. Our members were affected by ASF but the P480 is too much,” he noted.

At the same time, Tambago said the consumption of pork will go down further with the observance of the Lenten season.

“Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that we will meet again to discuss the max SRP,” he added.

Tambago encouraged consumers to buy from retailers who will follow the maximum SRP. 

He said the maximum SRP will not cover supermarkets and meat shops amid the high cost of operation.

DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa said aside from the maximum SRP on pork shoulder and pork belly, the price of “sabit ulo” – the price at which traders pass pork to retailers – would be capped at P300 per kilo.