Farmers group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) is urging the government to cut pork imports from 850,000 metric tons to 550,000 MT to support local hog raisers and boost domestic production.
SINAG chairman Rosendo So cited an oversupply of imported pork, which has filled cold-storage facilities and driven down prices for locally produced pork.
Imported pork sells for P120 per kilo for dressed cuts, undercutting local pork that costs around P206 per kilo after slaughter, discouraging farmers from rebuilding swine herds.
The group also called for reinstating higher tariffs on pork, restoring the previous 30 percent in-quota and 40 percent out-quota rates to protect domestic producers.
So stressed that reducing imports and applying protective measures, similar to those used for rice, would encourage farmers to repopulate their herds and stabilize the domestic pork market.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 2, 2026
