Provinces in Western Visayas that remain free from African swine fever (ASF) continue to ship hogs to Luzon, including the National Capital Region, according to the Department of Agriculture Agribusiness and Marketing Division (DA-AMAD).

“We ship to Manila from Antique, Aklan and parts of Iloilo that are not affected by ASF,” Maria Teresa Solis, chief of the DA-AMAD-6 said in an interview yesterday.

Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that this year, 31,559 live hogs were sent to Luzon from January to April 17.

However, there was a big reduction due to the low available supply amid the high demand because of the ASF.

Solis added that there is also an increase in prices of live weight as well as pork products that are being sold in the market; good news for the growers but not for consumers.

“Previously, the price was between P280 and P290, but now it has reached P300 per kilogram of pork,” she said.

The live weight price starting this month has reached P165 to P170 per kilo.

Solis said that there are farmers who have already resumed raising hogs since they feel that it is already safe.

She said the DA livestock sector has a program that extends assistance to cooperatives or farmers associations that will engage in swine production under the rehabilitation of the industry.

Currently, only the provinces of Antique and Negros Occidental have not recorded ASF cases. (PNA)