DA: PH hog industry to fully recover by 2028

The Philippine hog industry anticipates a two to three-year recovery period before regaining pre-African Swine Fever (ASF) revenues, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Commercial clearance for ASF vaccines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still pending, delaying aggressive repopulation efforts.

The DA aims to restore domestic hog production to pre-ASF levels by 2028, contingent on vaccine approval and implementation of a repopulation plan.

Hog raisers in regions surrounding Metro Manila, such as Batangas and Bulacan, have suffered significant financial losses due to the ASF crisis.

Despite the ongoing challenges, controlled ASF vaccination trials in affected regions have shown positive results.

Newly appointed FDA administrator Paolo Teston has committed to improving FDA services through decisive action.

The persistent ASF outbreak has also led to increased pork prices, making it more expensive than beef for consumers.