DA Approves Increase in Pork Importation

Pork importation will now be tripled as the Department of Agriculture (DA) made the go-signal to increase pork supply in the country.

DA secretary William Dar said that they are planning to triple the annual minimum access volume (MAV) to 150,000 metric tons from the current 54,000 metric tons.

Meanwhile, Rieldrin Morales, Bureau of Animal Industry director said that MAV under import permits will be given ASAP.

On the other hand, the African Swine Flu in the Visayas will likely affect the importation in the region as Dar is constantly looking for a way to stop the importation deficit as they are still trying to contain the said disease on hogs.

36% or about 4.57 million hogs were affected by the said disease since it entered the country in 2019. A 3.6 fall in the country’s pork output was also foreseen by the United States Department of Agriculture.

With all the challenges being faced by both the authorities and hog owners, DA already allocated P400 million for hog repopulation programs. (MLC)