The Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently assessing the rising prices of pork in local markets to determine whether profiteering within the value chain is a contributing factor.

DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel noted that pork appears to be dealing with the same issue that led to high prices in rice.

“But of course, we’re already computing the value chain like we did in rice. And to see kung paano mate-temper ito (how this can be tempered),” Laurel told reporters on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Essentially, the value chain is the range of activities done to bring a product through different phases of production into the consumer’s plate.

As of Wednesday, prices of pork belly in Metro Manila ranged from P360 to P380, while pork kasim (ham) within P340 to P400.

On the other hand, the frozen pork variety is priced at P230 to P280 for kasim and P270 to P350 for liempo (belly).

Laurel said he has been closely monitoring these prices for the last two weeks. 

“Ang farmgate ngayon ay is only P220 to 240, so there seems to be a similar problem sa rice eh,” he explained.

(The farmgate price now is only P220 to 240, so there seems to be a similar problem with rice.)

The agriculture secretary said fair profit margin should limit retail prices of live pig to P300-P320 per kilo. 

However, he is still uncertain on whether the high prices of pork are a consequence of potential profiteering in the industry.

“Give me two weeks then I will tell you if mayro’n man o hindi (there is or not),” he told the press.

The DA earlier claimed that the surge in pork prices is caused by the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) and the huge demand for the commodity during the holiday season of 2024.

It is projected that prices will fall by February, as hog raisers recover their livestock numbers.

Laurel was mum when asked if the agency is considering the implementation of a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork.

The DA earlier implemented such on imported rice, set at P58, to ensure that rice remains profitable for consumers.

Putting an end to agri smuggling

On Friday, Laurel expressed his concerns over alleged agricultural smuggling during his monitoring visit to the Pasay City public market.

The DA chief identified vegetables such as onion sticks, Chinese yam, large broccoli, and pepper as potentially smuggled goods.

He said such items have no Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSICs), which puts into question if these are safe for consumption. 

“I don’t recall the Bureau of Plant Industry issuing SPSICs for these vegetables. This strongly indicates smuggling,” he continued.

With this, Laurel is urging the DA and related agencies to investigate and possibly even pursue legal action against the perpetrators.

Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero, who was also present during the market visit, emphasized the need for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to issue seizure orders for smuggled goods. 

He said consumers must be wary of health risks linked to unregulated imports, noting that these could contain harmful substances like pesticides and heavy metals.