Manila, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured the public that the agency is preparing to set the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for pork, imported carrots, and both white and red onions next week or before December 1.
The implementation of the MSRP will last until the end of January 2026.
Under the new pricing scheme, the MSRP for live hogs will be ₱210 per kilo, while the retail prices will be set at ₱370 per kilo for pork belly and ₱340 per kilo for pork ham .
For imported and locally produced red and white onions, as well as imported carrots, the MSRP will be ₱120 per kilo.
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., during the DA’s continuing market inspections, they still see some stalls selling these key products at high prices, particularly red and white onions.
However, the secretary clarified that high prices are usually observed in small stores, not in larger markets.
The DA is also leaving the pricing of fish to the vendors and will no longer include fish products in the list covered by the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture reminded the public that sellers who raise prices of these products during the period when the MSRP is in effect will be issued a show cause order.
The DA will also suspend the importation privilege permits of companies importing products that impose high markups, resulting in inflated market prices.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will also work with them to determine if profiteering is occurring.
As of now, based on the DA’s Bantay Presyo Nationwide monitoring
The lowest price of carrots is ₱100 per kilo, while the highest is ₱200 per kilo.
For local white and red onions, prices range from ₱140–₱160 per kilo at the lowest, and ₱250–₱320 per kilo at the highest.
For imported onions, the lowest prices range from ₱90–₱180 per kilo, while the highest prices reach ₱250–₱350.
The DA also encouraged consumers to personally question sellers if the prices of these products appear unreasonable or exceed the established MSRP.
If not, consumers may also report through the agency’s Kadiwa app.
Despite this, the DA said that the implementation of the MSRP may only take effect by next week following the formal announcement.