Samahan ng Industriya at Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So said the shortage of live-weight or fresh supply of hogs in Luzon could be addressed by the continuous supply from hog raisers in Mindanao.

In the virtual forum on Thursday, So said the live weight supply from Mindanao and in parts of Visayas not affected by the African swine fever (ASF) is hampered by the lack of vessels to ship the products.

“The hog raisers request the Department of Agriculture for aid in the shipment of their products,” he said.

So said Mindanao has ample supply of hogs to support the shortage in Luzon where there was an ASF outbreak.

He said it is also unlikely to import live-weight hogs from other Asian countries due to animal diseases they might have, aside from the expensive freight.

“We have enough supply of frozen imported prime cut pork but most consumers prefer fresh pork. Frozen imported prime cut pork is also expensive,” he added.

Due to the ASF outbreak in Luzon, some 380,000 heads of hogs monthly were lost or 24.7 million kilograms in the entire Luzon, So said.

Live-weight hogs’ prices range from PHP240 to PHP250 per kilogram in retail, he said.

“Supply of live-weight hogs in Pangasinan would be sufficient for the local market but since we are also supplying up to Baguio City and Pampanga hence, there is shortage even in the province,” So said.

He, however, said the supply of chicken in the province is ample. (PNA)