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The Department of Agriculture (DA) will implement a maximum SRP for pork by March despite rising pork prices.

DA Bantay Presyo data shows that some pork cuts sell as high as P480 per kilo in several markets in Metro Manila.

Agriculture spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, in a press conference, said consultation with stakeholders will be finalized this week so that the maximum SRP will be implemented by March.

The final figure for the MSRP is yet to be announced, but officials earlier hinted it would be below P400.

“If farmgate is P250, and then you have a profit margin of P100 and above, then P380 is reasonable. The Secretary earlier said that anything above P400 is excessive,” the department said

Earlier, the agency set ‘maximum SRP’ or ‘MSRP’ for rice, which has been lowered regularly to influence prevailing market prices.

The maximum suggested retail price for imported rice has been lowered further to P52/kilo starting February 15.

This is in accordance with the plans of the Department of Agriculture of gradually lowering the MSRP while giving time for retailers to finish old stock.

This is the second time the MSRP for imported rice was lowered. It was initially pegged at P58/kilo, and then lowered to P55/kilo earlier this February.

De Mesa said by March, it would be further lowered to P49/kilo.

He said we are setting the MSRP for compliance. We study it first and then we consult with stakeholders so everyone is aware even before we implement it.

He added same strategy with rice. We will know the right pricing and when we implement the MSRP, they will follow. We will avoid having excessive profits and selling at exorbitant prices.

The agency is also mulling the direct sale of cheaper pork, similar to the Rice for All program.

“Similar to rice where we introduce yung Rice for All, we are also looking in the possibility that DA can also intervene doon,” he added.

In a February press briefing, National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa noted that prices climbed because of the problem of African swine fever in some parts of the Philippines.

Inflation was at 2.9 percent in January, as price increases for food quickened.