Filipino households may need to tighten their belts as pork prices are set to climb once again with the arrival of the “ber” months, when demand traditionally spikes while supply struggles to keep pace.
According to the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines (ProPork), farm-gate prices—currently averaging P190 per kilo—could jump to P230 per kilo in the coming weeks. This increase may push retail prices at wet markets and supermarkets to about P350 per kilo, making pork one of the priciest proteins on the Filipino table.
“Every year, when the ‘ber’ months start, demand shoots up and prices follow. This year will be no different,” said ProPork president Eric Harina in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
But even before the projected spike, Harina noted that consumers are already paying steep retail prices of P330 to P380 per kilo despite low farm-gate prices. Farmers, he stressed, are bearing the brunt of weak production worsened by lingering problems such as African Swine Fever (ASF), poor weather conditions, and cheaper imported pork flooding the market.
“The ASF crisis continues to haunt the industry. Farmers are waiting for the commercial rollout of a vaccine, but until then, production remains vulnerable,” Harina said, adding that the rainy months of July and August further weakened herd health.
Official estimates show only a modest uptick in hog production: from 8.7 million heads in 2024 to just 8.8 million this year—barely a 100,000 increase.
What’s aggravating the situation, Harina explained, is the growing dependence on imported pork, which retails at P240 to P300 per kilo—much cheaper than local products. This has left many backyard and commercial swine raisers struggling to compete.
“Local pork is moving slowly because imported products are dominating the shelves,” he said.
To ease the pressure on both consumers and farmers, Harina urged reforms in the supply chain, particularly eliminating layers of middlemen and improving direct farm-to-market systems.
“If producers and retailers are connected more efficiently, prices could stabilize, and both sides could benefit,” he emphasized.
With the holidays fast approaching, pork lovers may have to brace themselves for steeper prices of lechon, ham, and other staples—unless the government and industry players can intervene quickly to balance supply and demand.