Private sector sells imported pork via govt program

THE government has implemented various marketing efforts that will allow consumers to gain access to cheaper imported frozen pork in its bid to reduce prevailing pork prices which remain above P300 per kilogram.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the private sector relaunched the “Presyong Risonable Dapat” (PRD) program which seeks to sell affordable food products to Metro Manila consumers.

This time, the PRD, which was conceptualized in 2018 to sell cheaper rice and sugar, will focus on selling frozen imported pork that is P50 to P100 per kg lower than prevailing market prices.

The PRD Frozen Meat Edition program was relaunched last July 29 at the Robinsons Supermarket Galleria with Robinsons Supermarket becoming the first partner of the program.

Under the program, consumers can buy frozen pork belly/liempo at P250 per kg, porkchop at P220 per kg, kasim/pigue at P220 per kg and ground pork at P200 per kg.

Last July 31, the program was brought to Marikina with the government partnering with two meat importers, Atkins Import and Export Resources Inc. and the Myown Group of Companies, to establish a weekend pop-up store.

“We are working with our partners so we can offer products at lower prices, particularly meat, especially since we are grappling with African swine fever [ASF],” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He also said the “importation and sale” of frozen pork meat is just a “temporary” measure to augment the country’s pork supply, which has been crippled by ASF.

Myown Managing Director Jesus C. Cham, who is also the president of the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA), said the two companies easily sold around 2 metric tons to 3 metric tons of pork products at the Saturday pop-up store.

“Some members of MITA are supporting the activity by going to the communities and setting up pop-up stores every weekend to offer pork and chicken at target prices,” Cham told the Businessmirror.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the relaunch of the PRD Program will regain consumer confidence, which will “create demand and provide employment to Filipinos as the country’s economy recovers.”

“We shall be doing the PRD with other supermarket chains to widen the reach of these products.”