LKI 50th Press Statement
October 21, 2019
HOG FARM AND RETAIL PRICES DEFY MARKET LOGIC – LABAN KONSYUMER INC.
LABAN KONSYUMER INC. in a statement said that Hog Farm gate prices plummets to 100 to 110 pesos a kilo as of October 17 . On August 28 , Farm gate prices range from 126 to 128 pesos a kilo, or negative 18 to 26 PESOS a kilo .
The persistent effort to stem the epidemic brought about by the ASF continues to hurt especially the backyard raisers from the continuing decline in the farm gate prices. Vic Dimagiba added that the Government should strictly Monitor whether the current Farm gate prices are still above producers costs and to ready appropriate financial support when needed.
HOWEVER, much has to be desired at the irrational retail sector . From end September to October 19, the retail prices based on government data stand and remained steady at low 220 pesos a kilo , high of 250 pesos a kilo and prevailing of 230 pesos.
RETAIL prices should hover from 160 to 170 a kilo using the farm gate prices plus 60 pesos a kilo industry benchmark.
DIMAGIBA said we have a relatively calmer diesel prices for almost a month , thus traders are keeping extra savings.
Given the erratic logic of how and chicken retail prices behaves , Laban Konsyumer calls for the immediate imposition of an SRP for the duration of the epidemic up to the end of the holiday season. This will give consumers a breathing spell on high prices of pork and chicken.