THE Department of Agriculture (DA) assured consumers pork supply and prices remain “good” and “stable” ahead of the Christmas season.
Agriculture spokesperson, Asec. Arnel De Mesa, said livestock industry partners guaranteed stable pork supply amid the expected increase in pork consumption during the holidays.
“In fact ‘yung presyo nitong nakalipas na buwan hanggang ngayong buwan ay stable. ‘Yung kasim ay nasa P320 per kilogram (kg) at ‘yung liempo ay nasa P380/kg, at wala tayong nakikita na mabilisang pagtaas ng karne ng baboy,” the official explained.
He added that chicken supply and prices are also stable, noting that poultry production increased by 6 percent in the last quarter.
Meanwhile, the DA has instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry to put up more inspection sites for live animals in Metro Manila and nearby areas to ensure that they do not carry diseases such as the African Swine Fever (ASF).
De Mesa explained Metro Manila acts as the gateway of livestock transported to Northern and Southern Luzon.
“‘Yan kasi ‘yung pinang-iilagan ng ating livestock industry, may tinatawag diyan na ‘third quarter storm’ kung saan maraming sakit na lumalabas. So, pinapag-igting natin,” he said.
Out of 11,250 shipments inspected recently, De Mesa noted that 532 were confiscated, while 25 were condemned after they tested positive for ASF.
IMPORTING FISH
Following the onslaught of several typhoons that ravaged parts of the country, De Mesa admitted that fish and vegetable prices have increased significantly.
The official noted that the fisheries sector incurred almost P1 billion worth of damages due to destroyed fish pens, fishing boats, and other fishing paraphernalia.
With this, the agriculture department is studying to import fish next month.
“Timing din kasi closed fishing season ngayon. Magbubukas ‘yan hanggang January para madagdagan. Nakapag-import na tayo, nakapag-issue na ng 30,000 metric tons sa paunang utos at ngayon ay posibleng madagdagan para masigurado natin pa ‘yung supply,” De Mesa explained. (ABS-CBN News)
