Cheaper protein sources expected on buyers’ grocery lists as pork prices rise

CHICKEN PRICES UP, TOO

Consumers are turning to cheaper protein sources as pork prices reached P370 per kilo for kasim and as high as P420 per kilo for liempo in some markets in Metro Manila.

Bong Inciong, incoming chairman of the United Broiler Raisers Association, said that the change in retail prices of pork means that consumer buying would adjust as well.

“Tumaas na presyo ng baboy. May substitution ‘yan. Kaya kahit papaano lilipat ‘yung ibang demand du’n sa mas murang protina, manok na ‘yan at itlog,” Inciong said.

(Pork prices are up, so there will be substitution. Demand will shift to cheaper sources of protein, like chicken and eggs.)

Due to increasing demand, however, chicken prices are also going up.

As of the latest monitoring by the Department of Agriculture (DA), chicken prices range from P150 per kilo to as high as P220 per kilo.

“‘Yung 150 [pesos], ‘yan ‘yung bagsakan [na presyo sa] Commonwealth, Malabon. ‘Yung 220 [pesos] pangkaraniwan ‘yan ‘yung tinatawag namin na tertiary market. ‘Yan ‘yung namimili sa bagsakan kung minsan namimili pa doon sa secondary market… karamihan niyan 190, 180 minsan nag-170 [pesos],” Inciong said.

The Agriculture department warned the public to be vigilant of unscrupulous traders.

“Sana makinabang ‘yung mga magsasaka, mga livestock raisers. ‘Yun ang tinitingnan ng department. Sana walang mag-take advantage na traders,” said Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano.

(We hope that farmers, the livestock raisers will benefit from market activity. This is what the department is monitoring. Hopefully traders will not take advantage of the situation.)

Aside from increasing production, the DA is also strengthening market linkages, which Savellano said could also bring prices down.

“Ang department ngayon under Secretary [Francisco Tiu] Laurel, mayroon siyang kinreate na isang office, ‘yung logistics, para tingnan natin kung paano natin mapamura ‘yung madala ang produce sa mga markets,” Savellano said.

(The department under Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. created an office for logistics that will look at how to lower the cost of bringing produce to markets.)

The Agriculture official added, “Naghahanap kami ng mga food hubs, like si Secretary inaayos niya ‘yung FTI (Food Terminal Inc.) [in Taguig City] para doon lalagay ‘yung mga produce directly from the farmers para ‘yung mga negosyante doon na sila bibili. If we have enough supply, pati price bababa rin.”

(We are looking at food hubs. The secretary is working to bring produce directly from farmers to the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) in Taguig City so businessmen can buy there. If we have enough supply, then prices will go down.)

The FTI, a government-owned and -controlled corporation under the National Food Authority, is envisioned to be the leading food processing and distribution hub not just in Taguig, but in strategic locations nationwide.

Last week, the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) said pork prices could go up following reported changes made by the DA regarding quotas and the minimum access volume (MAV).

In a letter addressed to the department, MITA expressed its concerns over these changes, such as the decision to limit the meat traders’ share to 40 percent of the MAV, while processors get 60 percent. — VDV, GMA Integrated News