MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary William Dar said on Monday that prices of pork are expected to lower after imported pork products enter the local market due to the lowering of tariff in two months.
“I understand, ang pagpasok po ng imported ay nasa 40 to 60 days [the entry of imports is from 40 to 60 days],” Dar said, responding to Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto’s query during a hearing of the Senate Committee of the Whole.
Sen. Recto also asked about the possibility of pork hitting as much as 500php per kilo.
Also, Recto confirming Dar if the prices of pork are supposed to go down after following Malacañang’s order to lower the tariff on importation
“Ay sana hindi hahantong dun, dapat magtulungan po tayo kasi talagang manipis na yung ating supply sa ating bansa,” Dar said.
In the same hearing, Senator Lacson cited that the annual average consumption of pork from 2018 to 2020 was 1.85 million metric tons (MT) while the annual average local production was 2.25 million (MT) so there is no shortage of pork in the country for the last three years.
“Where’s the shortage? ‘Di ba malinaw na higit pa sa sapat ang supply [Isn’t it clear that the supply is more than enough]?” he then asked.
Reporting by: Ghelo Carreon
Source: Inquirer