To support local hog raisers
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is proposing to implement higher tariffs on imported pork, as farmgate prices for live hogs drop to a range of P120 to P160 per kilo.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA is pursuing trade measures that would provide support to local hog raisers, amid declining farmgate prices.
He noted that he is discussing with the country’s economic managers to possibly restore pork tariffs to previous levels.
The tariff duties for imported pork currently stand at 15 percent for in-quota shipments and 25 percent for out-quota imports until 2028. This is lower than the previous 30 percent in-quota and 40 percent for out-quota.
The agency is also mulling higher special safeguard duties on imported pork, noting that these measures could take time to implement.
Tiu Laurel added that the DA is backing an industry-led call to implement a P210-per-kilo floor price for live hogs, amid the plunging farmgate prices for locally grown hogs.
The agency said the proposed floor price remains a target, rather than an enforceable price.
He said there are no existing laws to authorize the DA to impose a mandatory farmgate floor, while a price cap would require its own legal and procedural steps.
The STAR earlier reported that the agency was studying the industry-backed proposal, noting that it would instead ask industry buyers to adopt the floor price as DA lacks the legal authority to enforce such a policy.
Meanwhile, the DA is improving its enforcement against improperly handled imported meat in wet markets. The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) has been conducting inspections, particularly checking vendors required to keep imported meat in freezers.
Tiu Laurel said inspectors have already found products falling short of NMIS standards.
The agency is likewise tracking meat prices ahead of the holiday season, when demand typically climbs. While some increase is expected, he noted it should stay modest.
“Higher demand means higher price,” he said, noting that a season increase of about one percent to three percent would be preferable.