Pork imports push hog raisers toward bankruptcy, threaten local supply

Pork producers are demanding an immediate temporary ban on all pork imports and a 30% to 40% increase in tariffs, warning that continued importation is driving local hog raisers toward bankruptcy and could threaten the supply of fresh pork in public markets. 

Nicanor Briones, chairman of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines and AGAP Party-list representative, rejected the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) proposed two-month suspension of import permit issuance, saying its scheduled effectivity on November 15 would come too late to ease the industry’s mounting losses. 

He warned that importers could rush to secure permits before the restriction takes effect, potentially undermining its intended impact.

“Ang gagawin ng mga importer, magre-request nang magre-request ng importation, at iyong para sa December, baka isama na nila. So, useless iyong kanyang two months na suspension or import ban ng karne,” Briones said.

Briones also criticized the proposed restriction for reportedly covering only three pork cuts, pigue, kasim, and liempo, while leaving other imported products outside its scope.

He cited 185 million kilograms of imported pork jowls last year and called for restrictions covering all pork products, including jowls, offals, skin, and fats.

Hog raisers extended their nationwide “pig holiday” until Sunday, October 25, after initially planning to end the protest on Saturday, to press the government to act on their demands.

Briones said organizers initially expected 500 participants at the DA rally, but around 1,500 reportedly attended. He warned that further demonstrations could follow, including at the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development and potentially the Bureau of Customs.

“Dahil gusto nga natin ipakita na… kapag nawalan ng magbababoy, ito ang mangyayari walang karne sa palengke. So iyon, at binabalak namin, magra-rally din kami doon sa DEPDev, iyon ang economic managers e, na siyang naggagawa ng mga polisiya na import, import, import. Lahat ng agricultural commodities, ini-import,” he said.

Briones estimated that hog raisers nationwide are losing P350 million daily, based on around 50,000 hogs sold per day and losses of P7,000 per head. 

He projected losses could reach P30 billion by December if the situation persists, further depleting producers’ capital.

Briones warned that farm closures could eventually disrupt fresh pork supplies and that frustration could spread to other agricultural sectors.

Briones also warned that the current “very strong” El Niño could increase feed costs as weaker harvests of rice, corn, sugarcane, and copra affect livestock feed ingredients.

Extreme heat, he added, could slow hog growth, increase illnesses and viral infections, and raise mortality rates.

“Napakalaki ang magiging epekto niyan sa amin. Kaya dagdag na parusa ‘yan, dagdag na laki ng puhunan. Dahil siyempre, hihina ang ani ng palay, ng mais, hihina ang ani ng tubo, ng kopra. Ibig sabihin niyan, magmamahal ang aming mga sangkap sa pagkain ng livestock and poultry,” Briones said.

“Hihina ang paglaki dahil napakainit. Magkakaroon ng iba’t ibang viral infection, dadami ang magkakasakit, tataas ang mortality, ay dagdag na puhunan ‘yan,” he added. 

Briones said the pig holiday aims to demonstrate the consequences of producers withholding supply, urging the government to intervene before more hog raisers abandon their operations.