Agriculture Secretary William Dar said there is still a 26 percent supply shortage and this is felt in areas affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF).
Dar added ASF cases have already dropped by 50 percent in the first four months of 2021 as compared to the first four months of 2020.
Dar, who was in Cebu Thursday to attend an activity at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, said the country was able to cushion the impact of ASF due to the measures that were put in place.
These measures include the increase in pork importation and the "building up" of the local industry.
"First, we have to continue building up the local industry, there’s no substitute to that. We will continue to help. We need to continue to re-populate (and) recover the local hog industry," Dar told reporters.
The 26 percent shortage of pork supply is being addressed through importation, Dar said.
"The lowering of the tariff plus the minimum access volume is now making a significant impact in terms of reducing pork prices for Manila in particular," explained Dar.