DA to set MSRP for pork in March, study ongoing

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced plans to impose a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork as early as March, pending results of an ongoing market study.

Laurel stated during a Palace press briefing that the DA is due to evaluate initial findings of the study within the day and will complete the full MSRP study by the end of February.

Despite current retail prices ranging from PHP380 to PHP480 per kilogram for liempo and PHP350 to PHP420 per kilogram for kasim, farmgate prices remain stable at PHP240 to PHP250 per kilogram.

During a market monitoring visit with the Department of Trade and Industry on Wednesday, Laurel asked retailers about the reasons behind high pork prices, who cited additional costs such as agents, gasoline, manpower, slaughterhouse fees, and farmgate expenses.

The DA is currently gathering more information to analyze the entire value chain before imposing an MSRP, emphasizing the need for a fair profit margin across the supply chain.