Zubiri calls on agriculture chief to tackle pork market manipulation

MANILA — Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has urged the Department of Agriculture to take decisive action against those manipulating pork prices, smuggling livestock products, and facilitating excessive meat imports that continue to destabilize the local hog farming industry.

The senator made his appeal during a Senate hearing, highlighting the mounting pressure on domestic pork producers who are contending with falling farm gate prices while consumers face persistently high retail prices at the market.

The disconnect between producer and consumer prices suggests market distortions that Zubiri attributed to illegal manipulation and excessive imports. Local hog raisers have grown increasingly frustrated as their profit margins shrink despite continued high prices for consumers purchasing pork products.

Zubiri's challenge comes as the agriculture sector grapples with structural issues affecting both producers and consumers. The senator's intervention underscores growing legislative attention to market practices within the meat industry and calls for the DA to strengthen enforcement against illegal trading activities and smuggling operations.

The department has not yet publicly responded to Zubiri's challenge, though the issue is expected to remain under legislative scrutiny as both farmers and consumers seek relief from current market conditions.