MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday assured a stable food supply for the Christmas season despite the effects of successive weather disturbances and African swine fever (ASF).
DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said there is no supply shortage as far as rice, fish, and vegetables are concerned. Likewise, Filipinos will not miss the traditional fiesta favorite lechon, as there is no shortage of native hogs despite the effects of ASF.
The DA made the assurance after the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Operations Center reported losses worth P6.83 billion in the agri-fishery sector due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) and Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey).
In an interview, De Mesa said supply stability is expected across all agricultural commodities with minimal price spikes amid the Christmas season demand.
“Walang supply (shortage) kasi nababalanse ng importation nung sa bigas, isda, sa gulay naman enough iyong production natin (There’s no supply shortage because it is balanced by rice and fish importation. For vegetables, we have enough production),” he said.
The DA earlier reported the arrival of 3.7 million MT of imported rice, which is expected to cover the gap in local production, with palay production loss logged at more than 800,000 MT, breaching the 500,000 MT to 600,000 MT annual average palay output loss.
For fish production, which incurred a 1,780 MT volume production loss amounting to P665.01 million after Kristine and Leon, De Mesa said the 30,000 MT of imported fish from China and Vietnam have begun to arrive by batches after the onset of the annual closed fishing season.
In terms of vegetables, De Mesa said supply remains stable with lowland vegetables expected to recover in a few weeks.
The DA-DRRM reported at least 37,233 MT of volume loss in high-value crops, amounting to P880.15 million due to the effects of Kristine and Leon.
“Sa baboy, bagamat may problema tayo sa ASF, iyong requirements natin for the holiday season na-programmed na iyan. So, kung ano man iyong pagkukulang na-settle na nila iyan (For pork, even though we have a problem with ASF, our requirements for the holiday season are already programmed. Whatever the gap is, they have already settled it) for the rest of the holiday season. So, we don’t see any concern,” he said.
As of August, 450.36 million kg of imported pork have arrived in the country since January, according to the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Meanwhile, the DA has ongoing relief and recovery efforts to help all affected sectors in agriculture. (PNA)
