Province to address hog raisers’ concerns

CEBU, Philippines — A proposed farmgate price, feed cost subsidy, and protective ordinance are among the measures considered by the Cebu provincial government to cushion local hog raisers from mounting industry challenges.

The Capitol is also eyeing a recommended farmgate price, a possible subsidy for animal feeds, and an ordinance that would provide long-term protection for the province's hog industry.

Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy, head of the Cebu Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), said these interventions were among the actions being pursued following a meeting between Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and local hog raisers, who raised concerns over the difficulties affecting their livelihood.

Vincoy said hog raisers identified five major concerns during the meeting, including the high cost of feeds, inflation, rising fuel prices, imported pork products entering the local market, and the use of African Swine Fever (ASF) fears by traders to negotiate lower buying prices.

She explained that the increasing cost of basic commodities and fuel had affected consumers' purchasing power, while higher feed prices continue to add to the expenses of hog producers.

The cost of animal feed has also been affected by the prices of imported raw materials, particularly corn and soybeans, which are used by feed millers.

Another concern is the volume of imported pork products competing with locally produced meat in the market, further adding pressure on local producers.

Vincoy also cited reports of traders allegedly using ASF concerns to negotiate lower farmgate prices, even in areas where hog raisers were willing to sell livestock at higher rates.

She cited Madridejos as an example, where a buyer from Cebu City reportedly offered lower prices after raising concerns about ASF, bringing the buying price down to between P105 and P120 per kilo.

"These are all the issues compounding the hog industry situation," Vincoy said.

Despite these challenges, the PVO reported that Cebu has a 134-percent sufficiency level in pork production, based on data from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Visayas, indicating that the province produces more than enough to meet its requirements.

Board Member Lakambini "Neneth" Reluya asked what protection the provincial government could provide to local hog raisers. Board Member Celestino "Tining" Martinez, on the other hand, questioned why imported pork could compete with locally produced meat despite the added expenses in transporting products to Cebu.

Martinez pointed out that imported pork suppliers still have to shoulder shipping, docking, and unloading costs, questioning how their products could remain cheaper than those locally sourced.

Vincoy said the provincial government was encouraging Cebuano lechoneros to patronize locally raised hogs but acknowledged that some businesses might have longstanding supply agreements with partners outside the province.

Vincoy added that an executive order recommending a farmgate price had already been submitted to the Office of the Governor for review as a proposed intervention.

The PVO is also preparing a position paper for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to address the disparity between farmgate and retail prices.

Vincoy said some hog raisers sell their livestock at prices ranging from P110 to P250 per kilo, while pork products in the market range from P350 to P400 per kilo.

The provincial government is seeking discussions between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture to determine how the agencies can address the price disparity and carry out their respective mandates.

Vincoy added that the Capitol was also reviewing a possible feed cost subsidy, although the proposal still needed further discussion.

A proposed ordinance to protect the hog industry is likewise being considered as a long-term intervention.