By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) expects there will be no more price hikes on liveweight pork, but prices could remain high in various local markets.

PVO head Dr. Placeda Lemana said they are expecting that liveweight pork prices will no longer rise following the peak season, as the province will begin its sentinel program in an attempt to increase hog supply.

The repopulation of hogs is also seen as one of the solutions that could stabilize pork prices in the province.

According to PVO’s assessment, local hog raisers are no longer experiencing losses with pork prices at P180 and higher, compared to the prices last year, when the province was struck by various swine diseases.

The local hog industry was badly hit by an outbreak of hog cholera and African swine fever.

Based on the latest PVO monitoring, Moises Padilla town currently has the highest liveweight pork price at P180, while the cheapest is in Don Salvador Benedicto town at P160.

Meanwhile, pork prices remain high, ranging from P370 to P380 per kilogram on the market, with the lowest priced at P270./DGB, WDJ