• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana said that Negros Occidental has a sufficient supply of pork, as hog raisers have been productive after the surge of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Aside from the sufficient supply produced by local hog raisers, Lemana added that imported pork products are also entering the province from foreign countries that are ASF-free.
“The fact that the province is supplying more than 8,000 hogs to the nearby regions and provinces concludes that we have sufficient supply,” she said.
On Thursday, September 25, the Provincial Veterinarian Office conducted an animal dispersal turnover to the local raisers that are beneficiaries of the Provincial Swine Industry Recovery Initiatives and Animal Genetic Improvement and Livelihood Program.
Locally produced breeder swine were distributed for herd repopulation, as part of the province’s recovery efforts from the effects of ASF.
Moreover, a total of 3,424 heads of various animal commodities, including swine, ducks, free range chickens, cattle and carabaos, as well as units of grass chopper, forage seeds, animal feeds and veterinary drugs and medicines, were distributed and turned-over to local farmers and Local Government Unit (LGU) beneficiaries in a ceremonial event held Thursday morning at the Capitol Grounds.
“The distribution and turn-over aims to boost livestock production, support local food sufficiency, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for animal raisers across the province,” Provincial Veterinary Office said in a post.
PORK PRICES
Lemana added that the price of pork in the province has dropped due to sufficient supply.
Based on their monitoring of the recent price of pork in the province, the market price runs from P270 to P380. In Bacolod City, pork prices ranged from P380 to P390 per kilo, which is lower than the previous prices which ranged up to P400 per kilo.
“This was due to the sufficient supply we have in the province,” she explained.
However, Lemana said that there is a possibility that the prices will spike upwards again from October to December, since they are expecting demand to rise again.
“There will be a possible hike in price, especially since we are entering the MassKara Festival, but we assure you that it will not be too high, because we have sufficient supply,” she added.*
