The Department of Agriculture (DA) will release an updated suggested retail price (SRP) for imported pork this week.
“Actually they made an initial report yesterday and hopefully within the week we will be able to release an SRP for imported pork,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said in a virtual briefing.
President Rodrigo Duterte on May 10 issued Executive Order 133 which raised the minimum access volume (MAV) to 254,210 metric tons (MT) from 54,210 MT.
The SRP for imported pork is P270 per kilogram for kasim, and P350 per kilogram for liempo.
The prevailing market on the hand prices for kasim are at P360 per kilogram and P380 per kilogram for liempo as of May 11, based on data from the DA.
Almost two years after the disease first hit the local hog industry, Duterte, on May 11, placed the Philippines under a state of calamity due to the African swine fever (ASF) for one year, unless earlier lifted or extended.
In April, Duterte signed an executive order which reduced tariff rates on imported pork to 5% to 20% from the previous rates of 30% to 40%.
“EO 128 has to be amended. This is the second part of our arrangement agreement with the Senate,” said Dar.
For in-quota, imports will be taxed 10% for the first three months and 15% for the remaining nine months.
For out-quota, taxes will be set at 20% for the first three months and 25% for the remaining nine months.
“The EO on lowering tariff amending EO 128 hopefully that will come soon,” said Dar. Ronald dela Cruz