PRICES of pork are higher by five to 10 percent in major public markets and meat shops in Central Visayas, the Department of Agriculture 7 and the Central Visayas Pork Producers Cooperative (Cevippco) confirmed.

But they assured that these are stable compared to the prices in Metro Manila.

“Our local supply is still enough but we will have to control Luzon buyers because, if they continue to (get the supply from us), by February we will be short,” Cevippco president Paul Holaysan told SunStar Cebu.

From Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, 2021, the DA 7 observed the following prices in major public markets in Cebu: P210 per kilo for pork ham/kasim; and P200 per kilo for pork liempo.

The price of pork ham peaked at P230 on Jan. 20 but went back to P210 in the succeeding days.

These are much lower than Metro Manila’s P380 to P400 a kilo in major public markets in Metro Manila. The suggested retail price there is only P225 per kilo.

Prices of pork in major supermarkets in Cebu City, however, are much higher than those in public markets.

Holaysan said the price increase in the local market is seasonal. He noted that prices of chicken, beef, fish, egg, vegetables, corn and other commodities have also increased.

“In terms of peso value, it’s (the increase is) from P10 to P20 per kilo, depending on the cut. Our pork prices in Cebu are still affordable because there are many choices for consumers,” Holaysan said.

He said Cevippco is helping enforce measures to prevent the entry of African swine fever (ASF) in Central Visayas by providing disinfectants, equipment and manpower. The region remains ASF-free.

DA 7 Director Salvador Diputado also said prices are still stable in the public markets in the region.

He said they will abide by the directives of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on controlling Luzon buyers.

The region is supplying pork to Metro Manila. From October to December 2020, pork producers in Central Visayas shipped a total of 23,302 heads to Luzon.

Garcia imposed an indefinite ban on shipments of pork and pork-related products from Luzon and Eastern Visayas to block the entry of ASF. (JOB)