Leon hog raisers seek PHP 180 farmgate price

ILOILO CITY – Backyard hog raisers in Leon, Iloilo, are seeking immediate government intervention to address persistently low farmgate prices and rising production costs, warning that the worsening situation threatens their livelihoods and the sustainability of the local swine industry.

In a petition addressed to Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the Leon Hog Farmers Association (LEHFA) appealed for measures to raise the farmgate price of live hogs to at least PHP 180 per kilogram or establish a reasonable and sustainable price that would allow producers to recover their investments.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the disparity between farmgate and retail pork prices in the province.

In a Nov. 3 interview, Iloilo Second District Board Member Rolito Cajilig said backyard hog raisers were receiving as little as PHP 130 per kilogram for live hogs, even as retail pork prices in local markets reached PHP 340 per kilogram.

Cajilig described the situation as “tantamount to calamity,” citing the mounting expenses shouldered by small-scale producers.

“It’s not [resulting to] a balanced economy because backyard raisers are being killed,” he said.

The Leon raisers’ petition outlined four major requests: higher and more sustainable farmgate prices, reduced costs of feeds and veterinary medicines, measures to regulate the entry of imported pork and live hogs, and stronger market linkages for locally produced hogs.

The association said prevailing low prices have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to recover production costs and invested capital.

Meanwhile, expensive feeds, supplements, veterinary medicines and other production inputs continue to eat into their earnings.

LEHFA also urged the provincial government to explore measures that would make production inputs more affordable, enabling local raisers to sustain their operations.

On market competition, the group called for appropriate measures to regulate or minimize pork and live hog imports that could contribute to oversupply and further depress farmgate prices.

In response to these concerns, the Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan adopted a resolution urging the Department of Agriculture (DA) to consider a two-month temporary ban on the entry of live hogs and pork from outside the province, covering Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026.

Cajilig, chairperson of the provincial board’s agriculture committee, cited provincial veterinary records showing that Iloilo had 136,770 hogs as of October, including 111,890 raised by backyard producers and 24,880 from commercial farms.

The province’s swine supply sufficiency level stood at 87.21%, indicating that local production had yet to fully meet its estimated requirements.

However, shipment records showed that 19,775 live hogs entered Iloilo from July 21 to Sept. 30, with another 2,625 recorded in October.

The proposed restriction seeks to give local producers greater market opportunities and help stabilize farmgate prices, particularly during the Christmas season when demand for pork traditionally increases.

However, the proposal remains subject to the DA’s assessment of its legal basis, feasibility and potential effects on pork supply and consumer prices.

The provincial government must also consider the possible impact of restricting incoming supplies on consumers, given that Iloilo has not yet achieved full self-sufficiency in pork production.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Darel Tabuada earlier reported that live hog farmgate prices ranged from PHP 130 to PHP 170 per kilogram, averaging PHP 150, while retail pork prices ranged from PHP 220 to PHP 340 per kilogram, averaging PHP 280.

The difference between farmgate and retail prices has raised concerns among local producers, although live-weight hog prices and retail meat prices are not directly comparable because of differences in weight, processing costs and marketing expenses.

At the national level, the DA has also initiated a preliminary safeguard investigation into rising pork imports and their effects on domestic producers, with possible measures including additional tariffs or restrictions on import volumes.

Meanwhile, LEHFA stressed that protecting local hog raisers also requires stronger partnerships with reliable buyers, institutional markets, processors and traders.

The group said improved market access would help ensure the timely and efficient marketing of locally raised hogs while reducing farmers’ dependence on unstable buying arrangements.

The association warned that failure to address these concerns could result in further financial losses and the possible closure of hog-raising businesses in Leon.

It said government intervention is necessary not only to protect the livelihoods of hog-raising families but also to sustain local pork production and strengthen the province’s agricultural sector.

The petition was signed by LEHFA President Eddie S. Cagoy, Vice President Ma. Teresa H. Cabañes and Secretary Lucita C. Cablas.

The association urged the governor to give the petition due consideration and extend appropriate assistance to local producers.