MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture is implementing the maximum suggested retail price on pork on March 10, Monday.

Agriculture dept to implement maximum SRP for pork by March

The MSRP on pork will be at P380 per kilo for liempo and P350 per kilo for kasim and pigue, said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.

The MSRP will be in effect in wet markets in the National Capital Region.

"This decision was made after consultations with industry stakeholders—from producers to wholesalers, traders, and retailers," Laurel said of the MSRP. 

"We believe the MSRP will help ensure the sustainability of the pork industry, which continues to suffer from ASF’s adverse effects," he added.

Laurel said the MSRP would be reviewed after a month to determine whether adjustments would have to be made. The MSRP, however, will not be implemented in supermarkets and hypermarkets because of their higher operating costs. 

Pork prices jumped by 12.1 percent in February, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia Del Prado said African swine fever continues to hurt the pork supply chain in the Philippines.

She noted, however, that the MSRP may help ease pork inflation.

Inflation settles at 2.1 percent in February