Negros Occidental hog raisers seek price floor

Hog raisers in Negros Occidental are seeking a minimum liveweight price of P160 to P170 per kilogram, as African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks continue to drive farmgate prices below production costs. Provincial Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson stated on Thursday that the provincial government is studying whether it has the legal authority to impose such a price floor. The persistent ASF outbreaks have significantly depressed prices at the farmgate, placing a considerable strain on the livelihoods of local hog farmers. Negros Occidental is a key producer of pork in the Philippines, and its livestock industry plays a vital role in the regional economy. Any intervention to stabilize prices could offer much-needed relief to producers, but the potential impact on consumer prices will also be a crucial factor in the provincial government's decision-making process. Governor Lacson indicated that a thorough evaluation of the legal and economic implications would precede any final decision.