By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said the increase in pork prices in the province was due to competition from neighboring provinces, and not from a supply shortage.

PVO officer-in-charge Dr. Ryan Janoya said local consumers are concerned over the recent hike in pork prices.

Janoya said buyers from neighboring Panay island offer higher prices for liveweight hogs.

He added that the localities in northern and southern Negros Occidental are sourcing pork supplies from neighboring provinces because central Negros was previously affected by swine diseases.

The PVO is expecting that prices will further surge until December.

They also assured that pork supply would remain stable throughout the period.

Sipalay City has the lowest pork prices at P250 per kilogram, while in Bacolod City, the prices have now surged from P350 to P360 per kilogram.

Pork was sold for only P320 per kilogram last week, much higher than the P300 to P315 per kilogram in late October and early November, with the cheapest at P230./DGB, WDJ