00:00A maximum suggested retail price for premature or even inconsequential or necessary right now.
00:06The Department of Agriculture has ruled following talks with pork retailers and stakeholders in the
00:10hog industry. A well and carefully thought out decision based on a stable farmlead price on pork
00:16and costs expected to gradually slide further down the line. Our Maryville Custodio gives us more.
00:24The Department of Agriculture or DA announced that they will not be imposing a maximum
00:29suggested retail price on pork following their discussion with pork retailers and stakeholders.
00:59A pork retailer explained.
01:10Based on the current trend, Farmgate already stabilized and is expected to decrease once
01:15investigation on the cost structure takes place. DA confirms that the problem on spiking pork
01:21cannot be blamed on the retailers.
01:39According to some producers, they are already recovering from high cases of African swine
01:44fever from the third quarter of last year. However, according to the Agriculture Department,
01:49the set reason is unacceptable for raising pork prices. The 400 to 480 pesos pork retail price is
01:56already considered abusive since the a maximum price assumption is only 400 to 430 pesos and
02:02government efforts will continue to bring it down further. Agencies will continue to monitor and
02:07ensure proper pricing in the markets. Pork retail prices are increasing due to the recovery of hog
02:12industry from ASF, leading to its increasing population. Only 68 active ASF cases remain,
02:18which is significantly lower than more than 500 cases in the third quarter of 2024. Batangas is
02:24already ASF-free. The controlled commercial release of Avac vaccine is targeted to begin
02:29on the first week of April.
