A PORK shortage is possible due to the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), according to projections by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Earlier this month at least three barangays in Carcar City, Cebu were placed under a state of calamity due to reports of ASF, with one raiser alone estimating losses at P300,000.
The estimated losses in Luzon has been estimated at P100 billion, with a number of farmers deciding to temporarily stop raising hogs, and sellers shifting to other meat.
For its part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is looking at measures to mitigate the impact of the ASF on the local industry.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed hog production increased by 3.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022. Total hog production from October to December 2022 was estimated at 465.32 thousand metric tons, liveweight.
The top five regions with the highest volume of hog production at liveweight during the period were the following:
a. Central Visayas (56.80 thousand metric tons),
b. Northern Mindanao (56.62 thousand metric tons),
c. Western Visayas (54.39 thousand metric tons)’
d. CALABARZO (52.06 thousand metric tons), and
e. Central Luzon (38.49 thousand metric tons).
But the whole agriculture sector saw a full-year drop in production to mark the third straight year of contraction. (GMA Integrated News)
