By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The price of pork sold in various markets in Negros Occidental has reportedly increased due to supply shortage amid hog mortalities over the last few months.

Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) head, Dr. Placeda Lemana said the price of live hogs is from P140 to P150 per kilogram, with P125 being the cheapest.

Pork meat is sold at P280 to P290, with the lowest average price at P240.

Lemana said they have received complaints from hog raisers that the buying price for live hogs amid the hog mortalities in the province was too low, while the pork prices did not decrease.

She said they have already tried to regulate buyers, but there are some who were still buying hogs at a lower price.

Lemana affirmed that the price hikes on live hogs were due to a lack of supply, as some areas had to cull their pigs to avoid the spread of swine diseases, such as hog cholera and African swine fever.

She said they are already eyeing a high demand for pork in the coming months, particularly during Christmas.

The PVO has already asked hog raisers to temporarily stop supplying pork outside Negros Occidental to prepare for the expected high demand and to prevent sudden price increases.

Earlier on Wednesday, August 9, PVO had closely monitored prices of meat and poultry products in the province.

Currently, La Carlota City has the highest pork price in Negros Occidental, at P295 per kilo, while the lowest was sold in Hinigaran town at P195 per kilo./DGB, WDJ