By CESAR JOLITO III

The Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) reported slight movements in the prices of pork, eggs and other livestock products, based on its latest price monitoring.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana said the average pork price during the January 19 to 26 period was P340 per kilo, with Himamaylan City posting the highest price.

In the latest monitoring from January 26 to 30, pork prices in Himamaylan further increased to P350 per kilo, reflecting a P10 hike.

Meanwhile, the lowest pork prices remained in Calatrava and Toboso at P260 per kilo.

Egg prices also recorded slight increases during the same period.

Lemana reported that large eggs were priced at an average of P9.85 to P10 per piece, while extra-large eggs ranged from P10.65 to about P11 per piece.

She noted that the increase was minimal, amounting to only a few centavos when averaged across markets.

Lemana explained that prices of pork typically fluctuate even after the holiday season but emphasized that the movements observed were not drastic.

Hog price

At livestock auction markets, the highest liveweight price for hogs was recorded in Moises Padilla town at P170 per kilo.

Other auction markets, such as those in Calatrava and Don Salvador Benedicto, posted lower prices ranging from P130 to P135 per kilo.

Lemana said profit margins for hog raisers remain slim as feed prices continue to increase.

To address rising feed costs, Lemana said the PVO is set to conduct seminars on feed formulation using locally available raw materials to help farmers lower production expenses.

For carabeef, prices during the January 19 to 26 period reached as high as P450 per kilo in Kabankalan City, while the lowest price of P350 per kilo was recorded in E.B. Magalona.

Beef prices showed a similar trend, with the highest at P450 per kilo in Kabankalan and Cauayan, and the lowest at P350 per kilo in Sagay City, Manapla, Victorias City, and Candoni.

Meanwhile, dressed chicken prices ranged from P180 to P230 per kilo across monitored markets.

On animal health, Lemana assured the public that no cases of African swine fever (ASF) have been recorded in the province.

She said surveillance activities conducted by the PVO from January 26 to 30 yielded no positive results, indicating that Negros Occidental remains ASF-free./CJ, WDJ