Pork business down by 50%; chicken up
LINGAYEN–One industry’s loss is another one’s gain.
The decline in demand for pork over the last month following the swine flu scare has benefited poultry raisers as consumers have been buying more dressed chicken.
Pork prices, however, have remained stable in the market at P150-P160 per kilo.
Dr. Benedicto Perez, provincial veterinarian said the hog industry has suffered a 50% decrease in sales despite clarifications that the Influenza A (H1N1) virus currently affecting humans around the world was mistakenly labeled as swine flu when the disease was first diagnosed and reported.
“Poultry raisers are happier now,” Perez told The PUNCH.
Perez recalled the worst “pork scares” that badly hit local hog raisers, particularly the foot-and mouth disease in 1995 and just recently, the reported presence of the Ebola Reston virus in one piggery farm in Manaoag.
“The hog industry now is reeling from a very low demand of pork because of the swine flu scare,” Perez said.
“They (people) still ask me if it is now safe to eat pork obviously because of ignorance about A H1N1,” he added.
To help arrest the decline in the demand for pork, Mangaldan, one of three towns in the province with a class AA slaughterhouse, recently sponsored a “boodle fight” of various pork dishes for some 5,000 residents. #
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
