The Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to suspend pork imports for 60 days starting in mid-November to help local hog raisers cope with rising production costs and competition from imported meat.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency will stop issuing import permits for kasim (shoulder), pigue (pork butt), and liempo (pork belly).

However, pork shipments that have already been paid for or are already on their way to the Philippines would be exempt by the proposed suspension.

The move comes as some local retailers hold a three-day “pig holiday,” stopping live hog deliveries and meat sales to protest industry losses and competition from imported pork.

Laurel said the government had considered raising pork import tariffs to 40% and enforcing additional duties to protect local producers. He also raised concerns that pork imports had increased by 6% despite rising local production.

The 60-day suspension aims to give local hog raisers a chance to recover from industry losses. However, its effects on pork prices and supply remain uncertain.