DA Plans to Impose MSRP on Pork by March to Control Prices

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering implementing a Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on pork as early as March 2025 to address persistently high prices in local markets.

Current Pork Prices

According to the latest DA data, pork prices remain elevated:

• Liempo: ₱380 – ₱480 per kilo
• Kasim (Pork Ham): ₱350 – ₱420 per kilo

DA Investigating Price Hikes

During a market monitoring event on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. questioned retailers about the high prices.

“Retailers say they are not the reason behind the high prices. They blame additional costs such as agents, fuel, labor, slaughter fees, and farmgate prices.”

To ensure accurate pricing, the DA is studying the entire pork value chain before finalizing the MSRP.

When Will the MSRP Be Implemented?

Tiu Laurel said the earliest possible implementation would be March, depending on the completion of data analysis.

“The earliest is March, but we will only proceed if we are confident with our data.”

The study on pork pricing is expected to conclude by the end of February 2025.

Sufficient Pork Supply Despite High Prices

Despite the price surge, the DA reassured consumers that the Philippines has sufficient pork supply.

The move to impose MSRP follows similar efforts to regulate rice prices and combat agricultural product smuggling.