Pork Prices Dip Amid African Swine Fever Fears as Farmers Rush to Sell

MANILA, Philippines — Fears over a potential African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak have driven down pork prices ahead of the rainy season, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. The DA reported that local hog raisers are rushing to sell their animals before the rainy season begins, concerned that changing weather conditions could trigger another ASF outbreak. Historically, ASF infections tend to increase during the rainy season. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that this "fast break" selling, rather than rising imports, is the primary reason for the decline in farm-gate prices. He noted that hog prices in Mindanao have decreased despite minimal entry of imported pork into the region. "Rather than risk getting hit by ASF, or having an outbreak occur next door, they want to sell everything before they are affected," Tiu Laurel said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the average farm-gate prices of hogs declined by almost 19 percent to P172.44 per kilogram (kg) in the second quarter of 2026 from P211.91 per kg a year ago. This contrasts sharply with the price surges last year during an ASF outbreak, when liempo (pork belly) prices ranged from P450 to P490 a kilo, and kasim (pork shoulder) rose to around P400 per kg. Tiu Laurel added that high pork prices last year encouraged raisers to expand production, leading to more hogs entering the market this year. Regarding the ASF situation, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recorded active ASF cases in 20 provinces across 12 regions as of August 7. Despite the prevalence of the animal disease, the PSA reported that pork production climbed by 5.6 percent to 412,280 metric tons (MT) in the second quarter. Meanwhile, pork imports totaled 541.41 million kg between January and July this year, up 10.3 percent from last year, according to BAI data. BAI is projecting pork imports to drop by about 50,000 MT this year from the 851,760 MT recorded in 2025, due to a combination of higher local production and increased import volumes by food processors last year. The DA indicated that the BAI's approval of the commercial sale of an ASF vaccine could lead to a market shift. "The vaccine should encourage hog raisers to expand production in the coming months, helping stabilize domestic supply and gradually reduce the need for imports," Tiu Laurel said. The country's first ASF vaccine manufacturing laboratory at Central Luzon State University is expected to be completed next year to bolster the campaign against the virus.