THE Central Visayas Pork Producers Cooperative (CeViPPCo) has assured there will be enough hams for Christmas as the region saw a 10 percent excess of hogs amid concerns on the African swine fever (ASF) virus.
CeViPPCo president Rolando Tambago said consumers need not worry about the shortage of ham brands from Luzon, noting local brands can supply the market especially during Christmas.
“Local brands can replenish the Luzon brands that we have pulled out from the market. We have to continue protecting our hog industry here,” he said.
Tambago said producers have gained a supply surplus of pork, both raw and live, amid consumer fears in buying the meat.
Despite this, Tambago was hopeful of the strong demand for pork observed every holiday season.
“There are a lot of holidays and festivities during those months. And there would be demand for pork since there will be reunions and celebrations among families. We are hopeful of the supply, and we will try our best to keep the prices stable,” he said.
The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (Pampi) on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, announced that the supply of their ham and other pork-related products for Christmas may not be enough.
This, as supply of Luzon-based pork products was cut off due to the ban strictly implemented in Cebu.
Based on Pampi’s latest monitoring, other local government units (LGUs) that have implemented a total ban on Luzon-based pork products are Ilocos Norte, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Aklan, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Tacloban, Negros Occidental, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Davao.
Local government units that have imposed a conditional ban are Tuguegarao, Kalinga, Ifugao, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bataan, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Tayabas, Batangas, Camarines Sur, Antique, Iloilo, Sorsogon, Leyte, Northern Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Puerto Princesa, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete, Bukidnon, Davao Oriental and South Cotabato.