For the group of pig farmers, the crisis will be exacerbated when the Department of Agriculture (DA) implements a price freeze due to the increase in pork prices due to African swine fever (ASF).
Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (Pro Pork) vice president for Luzon Nicanor Briones explained in TeleRadyo that the supply of pork will only increase because no one will really do business due to the price freeze.
He said the government’s proposed P270 to P300 pork price would not be bearable so the pig farmers will only lose revenue.
No price consultation was also reported.
“Hindi pupuwede ‘yan, suicide ang gagawin nilang ‘yan pag tinuloy ng ating pamahalaan ang pagkakaron ng price ceiling or freeze ng presyo dahil sigurado lalong mawawalan ng pagkain ang Metro Manila at Luzon. Ang ginagawa kasi nila, gagawa sila ng solusyon, at the expense of the farmers… Lalo lang magkakaroon ng krisis,” Briones insisted.
The United Broilers Raisers Association (UBRA) called the DA’s price freeze a drama.
Pig farmers oppose proposed pork price freeze
UBRA president Bong Inciong told Teleradyo that this is just a way for the department to cover up their sluggish operation in the pig and poultry sector.
He said the DA is also just making the consumers and producers fight.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the implementation of pork price freeze in the market, following the increase in its price due to African swine fever (ASF).
According to DA Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes, DA Secretary William Dar will appeal to President Duterte to implement the P270 to P300 price freeze.
“’ Yun na nga ang inirerekomenda ng DA kay Presidente, tapos na po ‘yung consultation, suporta na lang ng ating stakeholders ang tinitingnan,” according to DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes, in a radio interview. “Ang sina-suggest ni Secretary ay P270 to P300 ang price freeze natin sa baboy.”
Reyes said the DA has also allocated an initial P400 million for the repopulation of pigs in areas where there has been an ASF outbreak.