Visayas and Mindanao to ship more hogs, pork to Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — More hogs and pork will be shipped from the Visayas and Mindanao to Luzon starting this week.

The Department of Agriculture said shipments would be increased to boost inventory and stabilize prices in public markets, particularly in Metro Manila.

Pork supply is down in Luzon after many provinces were hit by African swine fever, which has killed 370,393 pigs nationwide.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said additional shipment to Luzon started in May, with nearly 100,000 hogs transported.

Dar said weekly shipment from Davao, General Santos and Cagayan de Oro cities would be increased by 30,000 pigs until December.

Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. plans to increase shipment of frozen pork by four shipping containers or about 48 metric tons per week.

Shipment of hogs from the Visayas will come from Cebu, Iloilo and Leyte.

Latest market monitoring shows that pork kasim is being sold at P320 per kilo when its suggested retail price (SRP) should be only P230.

Pork liempo costs P360 per kilo when its SRP should be only P250.