DA to restore maximum suggested retail price for pork
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. facing reporters after the inspection of smuggled goods at the Port of Manila on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Jordeene B. Lagare)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will reinstate the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork by the first week of August at the latest, as retail prices continue to rise.
“That is our target for pork, to restore the MSRP for pork by the end of July or early August. But it depends, it may be delayed a little,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on the sidelines of the inspection of smuggled goods on Thursday.
Tiu Laurel said the price limit would be retained at P350 per kilogram for pigue (leg/ham) and kasim.
The government scrapped the MSRP on May 15.
READ: No more maximum suggested retail price for pork starting May 15
Greater role for FTI
Tiu Laurel also said that the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a government corporation under the DA, would play a huge role in addressing higher retail pork prices by intervening in the market.
The FTI will do so by purchasing hogs directly from farms and selling these to retailers. In turn, these will be sold to consumers.
READ: Philippines imported 20.8% more pork, beef in 2024
It is requesting a P500 million funding from the government to procure 150,000 metric tons of hogs.
“We’re trying to cut out the middleman. That’s one of the directives of the President… they will not be completely eliminated, but the President’s order is to reduce the middleman,” he told reporters during a market visit in Muntinlupa on Thursday.
READ: DA on encouraging consumers to explore pork alternatives
