Pork Retailers in Metro Manila Struggle to Meet Government’s Price Ceiling

Pork sellers across Metro Manila are having a tough time complying with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) maximum suggested retail price (MSRP), more than three weeks after it took effect.

Set on March 10, the DA’s MSRP capped prices at P380 per kilo for liempo, P350 for kasim and pigue, and P300 for pork sold by traders to retailers—excluding supermarkets and hypermarkets. Despite this, actual market prices still exceed the limits in many areas.

In Quezon City’s Murphy Market, kasim sells for P360 to P380 per kilo, while liempo reaches up to P420. Similarly, in Pasay Market, kasim ranges from P340 to P360, and liempo sells for P380 to P420 per kilo.

Retailers argue that they’re forced to sell above the ceiling due to limited sales options and high supplier prices. “We give away other parts of the pig that are unsellable, but they’re still included in what we pay for,” said vendor Alona Macaraeg. Another seller, Lovita Tulay, added, “Unless farms lower their prices, our suppliers won’t lower theirs either.”

The Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (PPFP) claims it’s sticking to the MSRP, noting a drop in farmgate prices from P260 to P230 per kilo. But they say high costs remain due to disease prevention and rising feed prices, largely due to threats like African Swine Fever (ASF).

The DA has yet to respond to the ongoing challenges. As of March 10, the agency reported that only 25% of retailers were complying with the price caps.