Hog Raisers Concerned ASF Vaccine Costs Could Impact Pork Prices

Some hog raisers have expressed concerns that the cost of the vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) may lead to an increase in pork prices in the market. As the controlled vaccination program begins, hog raisers are hoping for affordable vaccine prices.

Chester Warren Tan, president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers (NatFed), mentioned that the current vaccines in use range from P20 to P100 per dose, a cost that is within reach for end-users. However, there are worries about the price of the new ASF vaccines.

Alfred Ng, NatFed’s vice president, emphasized that if the vaccines are effective, they should be provided for free, especially to backyard hog raisers.

The Department of Agriculture plans to distribute 10,000 doses of the ASF vaccine, priced between P400 to P500 per dose. However, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dante Palabrica reassured that this cost would not significantly affect pork prices, as it represents only about five percent of production costs.

Meanwhile, some hog raisers in Batangas stated that not all pigs in their area are infected, noting that ASF cases are isolated. Patrick Ong, president of the Rosario Batangas Hog Raisers Association, confirmed that most barangays have pigs that are clear and healthy.

In response to the ASF threat, the government has implemented border controls, and in Quezon City, backyard raisers are encouraged to surrender their pigs without facing fines. Healthy pigs surrendered will be bought at a fair price and sold to Kadiwa Centers.