MANILA -- Four days after the Department of Agriculture implemented the Maximum Suggested Retail Price for pork on March 10, 2025, retailers at Trabajo Market in Manila are still struggling to comply with the price cap.

Rizza Tabas, a pork retailer renting a stall at Trabajo Market, lamented the high capital costs of pork despite the government's directive.

Currently, the price of kasim, pork chop, and pigue reach P400 per kilogram, while liempo is sold for up to P450 per kilogram. However, under the DA's MSRP guidelines, kasim and pigue should only be priced at P350 per kilogram, while liempo should not exceed P380.  

Tabas explained that the current farmgate prices range between P355 and P405 per kilogram, making it difficult for them to sell at the mandated rates without incurring losses.

"Ang hango po namin ay 355, paano namin ibibigay ng 350? Paano naman kami? Lugi pa kami ng limang piso. Syempre lilinisin pa namin. Paano pa iyong ibabayad ng pwesto?" said Tabas.

She suggested that instead of imposing the price cap on retailers, the government should work with hog raisers and middlemen to lower farmgate prices.

"Ang masasabi ko lang po sa DA, kausapin po nila iyong dealers at tsaka iyong farm. Para sa gano'n po, magbaba kami sa gusto nilang presyo," Tabas added.

Meanwhile, consumers like Joel Gonzales are also feeling the strain of rising market prices. He shared that his daily budget of P400 to P500 for groceries is no longer sufficient for his family’s needs.

"Sana iyon ang dapat nilang bigyan ng pansin, iyong karneng baboy dahil talagang sobrang laki. Tapos lahat pa ng bilihin tumataas," said Gonzales.

The DA previously stated that the MSRP for pork was established following consultations with stakeholders in the industry.  

As of the latest price monitoring from the DA, there have been minimal changes in the prices of other meat products and vegetables in Metro Manila two weeks into March.

Prices of other meats and fish:

• Beef Rump - P440

• Beef Brisket - P380

• Whole Chicken - P200

• Bangus - P200

• Tilapia - P160

• Galunggong - P300

• Tamban - P110

• Tambakol - P260

• Alumahan - P330

Prices of vegetables:

• Ampalaya - P120

• Sitaw - P120

• Pechay Tagalog - P80

• Kalabasa - P60

• Talong - P120

• Kamatis - P50

• Bell Pepper - P200-P250

• Karot - P100

• Repolyo - P80

• Patatas - P130

• Lettuce - P80-P200

• Cauliflower - P120

• Broccoli - P200