The Department of Agriculture expects a reduction in pork prices this month, after his reach its highest price last February.

Likewise, farmgate prices of pork is on the down trend following an agreement reached between the Agriculture Department and the hog industry stakeholders.

DA Spokesperson Asec. Arnel de Mesa said we’re seeing that pork prices in February could be the highest, and it will start going down. The last agreement with the hog industry is that farmgate prices will also go down.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said pork is the highest contributor in February’s inflation rate, which is at 2.1%.

Earlier, DA said it was mulling to impose a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork.

No final announcements have been made regarding this so far, but the Philippine Statistics Authority says this could be helpful.

“We expect na kapag na implement ito, given other things constant, it can slow down inflation, pag na impose na ito, nakita natin yung impact dito kung MSRP for imported rice, so we expect for pork to have the same thing,” said PSA Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia del Prado.

Retailers said they have been severely affected as their sales suffer with elevated pork prices.

In Mega Q Mart in Quezon City, liempo remains above P480/kilo.