DA backs ‘phased’ pork tariff hikes
MANILA, Philippines — To support Filipino hog raisers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said it is seeking to restore pre-African swine fever tariff levels for imported pork through staggered increases.
The proposal follows the agency’s discussions on Sept. 24 with industry stakeholders, who called for the move as farmgate pork prices continue to drop.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he has taken up this matter with President Marcos. He said they had proposed the initial return from a 25-percent to a 35-percent tariff.
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“Then by Jan. 1, hopefully 40 percent, back to (the original) rate. So, that alone can help,” Tiu Laurel said.
As of August, farmgate prices of pork dropped to P150 per kilogram, lower than P215 in June 2025.
The DA is also seeking a tariff line for frozen pork jowls, which have become a major import due to their lower tariff treatment, increasingly competing with local pork in the retail and food service sectors. — PNA /das
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