The high demand for pigs in Panay Island is driving up the prices of pork in Negros Occidental.
Panay buyers are buying pigs from Negros Occidental at higher prices, Dr. Ryan Janoya, OIC provincial veterinarian, said on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Pork in Bacolod City has reportedly been selling at P350 to P360 a kilo.
A Provincial Veterinary Office report on Monday also showed that the average price of pork in Negros Occidental was P287 a kilo.
The highest price of pork was in Sagay, Talisay, La Carlota and Bago cities, and Hinoba-an town at P315 a kilo, and the lowest was in Sipalay City, La Castellana and Isabela at P250 a kilo, the report showed.
Janoya assured that Negros Occidental has enough supply of pigs but prices are rising because of the higher offer from buyers in Panay.
Panay is buying live weight pork at P20 to P30 per kilo higher that is why Negros sellers prefer to sell in Panay, Janoya said.
This has caused local buyers to compete with the Panay prices, he added.
Prices of pork are also expected to rise with the increase in demand in December, Janoya also said.*