There has been a drop in the retail prices of fresh pork in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday, Sept. 29.
Latest data from the DA-Bantay Presyo Price Monitoring Unit showed that the prevailing price of kasim is now at P280 per kilogram (kg), down from its peak price of P360 per kg in January 2021.
Liempo, on the other hand, sells at P340 per kg, P60 cheaper than its peak price at P400 per kg in January 2021.
Meanwhile, frozen pork sold in wet markets continues to be cheaper by P60 per kg compared to fresh pork; P220 per kg for frozen kasim; and P280/kg for frozen liempo.
The agency also disclosed that "only seven out of every 100 meat stalls are selling frozen pork in the National Capital Region (NCR) wet markets as frozen pork requires chillers."
"The DA projects a continuing downward movement of local pork prices in NCR wet markets," the DA said.
It explained that retail prices generally follow the price movements of farmgate prices of hogs, which, according to hog producers, have gradually declined since January 2021.
"If the trend continues, the DA projects retail prices may return back to the price level of September last year," the agency said.
"The DA will continue to assist pork producers to maintain this momentum and push the industry to sustain its repopulation and recovery," it added.
It shall continue to collaborate with the private sector and the local government units in the implementation of hog repopulation to revitalize the country’s swine industry.