BY EUGENE Y. ADIONG
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental still seeks to import pork despite the commodity’s abundance in the province.
“The importation is needed for processed food like tocino, chorizo and other such products,” explained Dr.Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian.
Negros Occidental has about 660,000 swine population enough to supply the 2,000 heads per day average consumption of pork in the province, Decena said.
Records of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) showed that as of May this year, Negros Occidental imported 61 tons of meat, the bulk of which was pork.
“The volume fluctuates depending on the demand,” Decena said.
There are three accredited meat importers in the province, he revealed.
For lamb meat or mutton, Decena said the province cannot yet export as the supply is enough only for local consumption.
Bacolod City has the highest meat consumption among the cities and towns in Negros Occidental – 1,000 heads daily, according to the PVO.
Based on its records, the average price of meat is P188.33 per kilo this June, higher than the P180 per kilo in April.
Pork’s price rose from P160 to P172.35 average per kilo during the same period.
Meanwhile, the province consumed 1.5 million chicken for the month of March alone but consumption is expected to drop by July and August, the lean months./PN
