By Kenneth Marcos 
In many hog farms across the country, small producers have been struggling to keep their businesses afloat. Rising feed costs, cheaper imported pork, and shrinking market prices have pushed many backyard raisers to the brink of closure.
To ease their burden, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and local hog producers have agreed to set a minimum farmgate price of P210 per kilo for live hogs. The move aims to stabilize prices and prevent further losses in the local swine industry, which continues to recover from years of challenges.
According to the DA, the price floor will ensure that farmers earn enough to cover production costs while maintaining a steady pork supply in local markets. The agency said this policy was reached after consultations with producers’ groups, who have long appealed for government support amid falling farmgate prices that dropped as low as P160 per kilo in some areas.
The DA and industry stakeholders will also recommend restoring the 40 percent tariff on imported pork, up from the current 25 percent under Executive Order 62. Local hog raisers argue that the lower tariff has made imported meat too competitive, hurting domestic producers who are still recovering from the effects of African Swine Fever (ASF) and high feed prices.
In addition, the DA plans to reinstate the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork products in markets. Officials said the move would be carefully studied to balance the interests of farmers, traders, and consumers. The department aims to ensure fair prices along the supply chain without burdening Filipino families already dealing with rising food costs.
The Philippines has been working to rebuild its swine population since ASF outbreaks wiped out millions of pigs in recent years. Despite progress, local pork production remains below pre-outbreak levels, and the country continues to rely on imports to meet demand.
DA officials emphasized that the new measures form part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the livestock sector under the “Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas” program. The department vowed to continue supporting farmers through credit access, insurance programs, and disease control initiatives.
For many hog raisers, the announcement brings a glimmer of hope. “Mabigat na po talaga ang gastos. Sana makatulong itong bagong presyo para makabawi kami,” said one farmer from Batangas.
The DA is expected to issue further guidelines on the price floor and other measures in the coming weeks.
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