Hog industry lobbied for pork MSRP removal — DA

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday its decision to discontinue the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) scheme for pork was the result of lobbying by the hog industry, which argued that production remains constrained by African Swine Fever (ASF).

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Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. clarified that the DA is withdrawing the pork MSRP "at the request of industry players."

"While the industry tried to comply with the MSRP, the severe shortage in swine due to ASF, combined with strong consumer demand, has made it increasingly difficult to keep pork prices down," he said.

The MSRP had been set at P300 per kilo for a whole slaughtered pig, P350 for pork shoulder and hind leg and P380 for pork belly.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Constante J. Palabrica said on Wednesday that vendors were not complying with the MSRP likely due to high farm-gate prices, reportedly as high as P290 per kilo.

Mr. Laurel said pork retail prices remain high, "with industry groups pointing to the ASF resurgence as a key factor disrupting supply and dampening production."

Since the first outbreak in 2019, the national hog inventory has declined from about 13 million head to just 8 million, according to the DA.

DA spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa told reporters on Thursday that the hog industry cited the need for a "recovery period" from ASF.

The MSRP will be revised, he said.

Compliance with the pork MSRP was below 5% as of May 2, against 30% on April 1.