By CESAR JOLITO III

The Sagay City government has imposed a minimum retail price for pork sold in the city in a bid to protect local hog raisers and stabilize the pork market amid the resurgence of African swine fever (ASF) in Negros Occidental.

Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva signed Executive Order No. 46, regulating the minimum retail price of pork following consultations with local meat retailers and vendors over the impact of declining hog prices and unhealthy price competition linked to ASF-related market concerns.

Under the order, which took effect yesterday, the minimum retail price of pork is set at P270 per kilogram, while the minimum buying price for pork carcasses is fixed at P200 per kilogram.

Cueva said the measure aims to strike a balance between safeguarding the livelihood of local hog raisers and ensuring a stable pork supply chain in the city despite the challenges posed by ASF.

The city government said the pricing policy is intended to prevent further declines in hog prices that could adversely affect backyard and commercial hog producers while maintaining a fair market for consumers.

Sagay City also urged meat retailers, vendors and other stakeholders to comply with the executive order to support the local livestock industry and help sustain the availability of pork in the market amid the ongoing ASF situation in the province./CCJ, WDJ