ILOILO – Despite recovering from African swine fever (ASF) and achieving 87.21 percent self-sufficiency in pork production, Iloilo Province faces a widening concern over the disparity between farmgate and retail prices, prompting the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) to seek local government intervention to protect hog raisers and stabilize the market.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada said live hogs currently fetch an average farmgate price of P150 per kilogram, while pork sells at an average of P280 per kilogram in public markets — a P130 difference that has raised concerns over pricing practices and the influence of private buyers.
According to Tabuada, farmgate prices range from P130 to P170 per kilogram, depending on the size and classification of the hogs, while retail pork prices range from P220 to P340 per kilogram.
Finisher hogs, which are commonly sold for meat production, command only P140 to P145 per kilogram, while hogs intended for roasting or lechon can fetch as much as P170 per kilogram.
Tabuada expressed concern that private buyers largely determine the prices paid to hog raisers, leaving producers with limited bargaining power despite relatively higher retail prices.
He identified intervention by local government units (LGUs) as a possible solution to stabilize prices and address the imbalance between farmgate and retail markets.
Without such intervention, he warned, private buyers would continue to exercise considerable influence over the pricing of live hogs.
Holiday demand
Despite concerns over pricing, Tabuada assured consumers that Iloilo has sufficient pork supplies to meet the anticipated surge in demand during the remaining “ber” months, particularly in December when Christmas parties, family gatherings and other celebrations traditionally increase meat consumption.
He said the province has achieved 87.21 percent pork self-sufficiency, equivalent to 136,770 hogs, while the remaining supply requirement of approximately 13 percent is being supplemented by shipments from neighboring provinces.
“Damo kita sang movement from other provinces. Ang Antique, Negros Occidental and Guimaras may inflow sa probinsya sang Iloilo. Amo na ang nagadugang sang needs naton sang supply and also may frozen nga nagasulod,” Tabuada told Panay News.
The provincial veterinarian said pork shipments from Antique, Negros Occidental and Guimaras, along with frozen meat entering the province, are helping bridge the supply gap.
He expressed optimism that Iloilo’s swine inventory would continue increasing in the coming months following the province’s recovery from the devastating effects of ASF.
ASF previously disrupted hog production and the movement of live pigs in affected areas, forcing authorities to impose restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the highly contagious viral disease.
With the province’s hog industry recovering, Tabuada said consumers should not worry about a possible pork shortage during the holiday season.
Price stability remains a challenge
While pork availability is assured, the OPVet is closely monitoring market prices amid expectations of stronger consumer demand in December.
Tabuada expressed hope that the anticipated increase in demand would not trigger another round of price increases.
He recalled that pork prices remained relatively stable in July 2026 despite Negros Occidental’s temporary suspension of hog entry into the province.
The experience, he said, demonstrated that supply restrictions do not necessarily result in immediate retail price increases./PN
