• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The retail prices of pork in Negros Occidental have increased due to high demand, as the yuletide season celebration is fast approaching, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana disclosed yesterday.
Lemana reported that the retail price of pork is as high as P350 per kilo, although P230 per kilo was reported in Sipalay City last week.
Because of great demand outside of the province, she said that pigs are being purchased by buyers from outside of Negros Occidental at P190 per kilo of live weight, and is being bought by locals at the same price.
If there is a demand, the prices go higher, Lemana said.
PVO records indicated that more than 2,000 hogs were shipped from Negros Occidental last month.
Lemana also expects the price of lechon will go up because of high demand, especially in December, with the smallest one may cost P8,000 to P10,000 each.
She also noted an increase in prices of chicken by P3 per kilo.
Lemana also reported that they have not monitored African Swine Fever (ASF), or cholera cases in Negros Occidental.
Hog mortalities cannot be avoided, but it may have been caused by other diseases, such as pneumonia, as of this time, she added.*
