There is an about 50 percent shortage of pork supply in Negros Occidental, Ric Lauron, Alliance of Hog Raisers Association of Negros Occidental (AHRANO) president, said on Thursday, February 29.
However, he expects the supply needs of the province to be met in about two months as hog raisers begin to restock.
African swine fever and other diseases caused the death of about 18,000 pigs in Negros Occidental last year, which halted hog raising in numerous parts of the province.
Lauron said with the lack of pork supply that has driven prices up, they have prioritized the needs of the province before exporting to other areas.
AHRANO welcomes and supports Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson’s Executive Order 24-07 Series of 2024 that continuous to ban the entry into Negros Occidental of pigs, boar semen and pork products from areas with reported cases of African swine fever, including Bacolod City and Negros Oriental, Lauron said.
He said the ban will help prevent the entry of pigs and pork products that may be carriers of viruses into Negros Occidental that could contaminate their animals just as they are beginning to recover from last year.
AHRANO hopes the ban will be well enforced, Lauron said.
Members of AHRANO also remain vigilant and are helping monitor possible violations of the ban, he added.*