By Leonard Z. Magadia
Six months after African Swine Fever (ASF) hit Batangas, pork vendors and hog raisers are still grappling with its severe impact on their industry.
“May mga time talaga na sobrang tumal dahil mahal ang presyo. Tapos minsan, wala talaga kaming makuha na buhay na baboy. Madalas na hindi talaga kami nakakaubos dahil mataas talaga ang presyo ngayon,” said pork vendor Rochelle Latosa in an interview on February 23.
Over 350 pig farms were reported to be affected by ASF in Batangas, including the towns of Calatagan, Lian, Lipa, Lobo, Talisay, San Juan, Tui, Balayan, Malvar, and Rosario, according to the latest records of the Provincial Veterinary Office of Batangas (PVO Batangas).
Raquel Gutierrez, a meat vendor at the San Juan Public Market in Batangas, has opted to sell beef and chicken instead of pork after the decreased demand and high pork prices caused by ASF. Photo by Leonard Z. Magadia
“Dahil sa kakulangan sa baboy, mataas ang presyo, mahina ang bentahan. Katulad ko ngayon, wala na akong tindang baboy kasi wala akong makuha, ‘yung iba, nakipagsapalaran sa maliit, basta may maitinda sila, pero mahal. Ako naman, baka na muna ang tinitinda ko ngayon,” said Raquel Gutierrez, another meat vendor.
From P320 per kilo in November 2024, the current price of pork has risen to P420 per kilo as of the last week of February, making consumers buy cheaper alternatives like beef and chicken. In Los Banos, Laguna, pork prices reached as high as Php440 per kg in the last week of January, according to a market advisory released by Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
ASF’s impact on hog raisers
One contributing factor in the spike in prices is the significant shortage in supply due to the losses faced by swine farmers. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the province of Batangas is one of the top producers of pork, accounting for 8.6% of local production.
“Nasa 15 ang inahin ko, ‘yung 15 na ‘yun, namatay paisa-isa hanggang naubos lahat. Nasa P300,000 ang total na kapital. As of now, wala pa akong plans na magbaboy ulit dahil kulang na sa budget, siguro ay several years pa bago ako ulit bumalik.” Gerlyn Delos Trinos, a hog raiser, said.
Gerlyn Delos Trinos’ piggery is now empty after losing her 15 swine to ASF last year. The business lost a total of P300,000. Photo by Leonard Z. MagadiaAs of the last week of February, towns in Batangas are gradually seeing a decrease in active ASF cases and are expected to fully recover in the following months.
“Madaming baboy ang namatay, madaming farmers ang namatayan kaya bumaba talaga ang population natin ng baboy. Sa farmers, ang naging epekto no’n, syempre ‘yung losses nila sa livelihood nila, tapos yung kadugsong noon ay yung pag-dwindle ng supply ng pork sa market.” Dr. Joy Sybil R. Guarin, Veterinarian III of the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Juan, Batangas stated.
Dr. Guarin added that swine farmers also struggle to find piglets for fattening. Despite these challenges, farmers are gradually starting to raise hogs again, and the current peak in pork prices is expected to decrease in the coming months.
Government interventions
To help pig farms recover from the ASF outbreak DA launched the Swine Industry Recovery Project (SIRP), which aims to enhance biosecurity measures, modernize farm infrastructure, improve genetic quality, and expand market access. The DA has also started innoculating pigs using the AVAC ASF Live vaccine.
Meanwhile, DOST-PCARRD is currently developing a subunit vaccine for ASF that uses the Hepatitis E Virus Nanoparticle (HEVNP) as a vector, in addition to implementing various innovations and research initiatives to address ASF.