DA further signals intent to cap pork belly prices at P380 per kilo — SINAG

GOVERNMENT consultations with farmers on capping the price of domestic pork belly (liempo) appeared to confirm the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) intent to set a P380 per kilo price ceiling for the commodity, an industry association said.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) Executive Director Jayson H. Cainglet said the group discussed the proposed price cap with Agriculture Assistant Secretaries Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra and Michael J. Garcia on May 20.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.  said earlier in the month that a cap on liempo was being considered due to rising pork prices. He said the cost of liempo from domestic hogs has risen to as high as P420 per kilogram, well above what the DA considers to be a fair price of P380.

As of May 20, pork belly prices remain at P420 per kilogram, according to DA reports.

Mr. Cainglet said SINAG expressed support for the price cap, citing the significant disparity between what hog raisers receive and what consumers pay at retail.

According to SINAG, despite farmgate prices for live hogs averaging only P180–190 per kilo over the past seven months, liempo continues to retail at P400 to P450 per kilo in public markets and supermarkets.

SINAG attributed the price gap to supply chain inefficiencies, weak market regulation, and excessive intermediary margins rather than profiteering by producers. 

The industry association noted that pork imports totaled 891 million kilos last year, with a further 296 million kilos imported in the first four months of 2026, though the retail margin over farmgate ranges between 90% and 120%.

The DA has not yet issued an official statement on the proposed price ceiling. — Pierce Oel A. Montalvo