A TOP official of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber) said that while the business sector in Northern Mindanao is doing well, the meat industry is still affected by the threat of African swine fever (ASF).
Oro Chamber president Floro said they worry since it is during the last quarter of the year that meat processors get the 40 percent of their sales as the demand for pork is high particularly in December.
"The demand for the meat right now and the availability of stocks is still a big problem. I think in the entire country around P23 billion losses na because the industry cannot supply the demand of the public because of the African Swine Fever," Floro said.
She added that locally there's enough supply of pork meat, however most of the meat processors in the region still prefer imported meat as it is cheap compared to local meat.
"I've talk to several meat processors. A lot of them still rely on imported meat because of the price," Floro said.
Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro has imposed a temporary ban on the entry of fresh and frozen pork and processed pork products from Luzon and other identified ASF-affected areas in the country and abroad.
According to Floro, only those imported meat which are ASF-free certified can enter the country.
"Kasi there are some provinces na (Because there are some provinces) if it is ASF-free certified then that's the only time they will accept the meat. Pero kung walang tatak na (If there is no) certification, they will not accept. This is also to prevent the spread of the ASF and protect the consuming public," Floro said.
At present, Floro said the Oro Chamber is monitoring the progress of ASF in the country. She also hopes that the country will soon be free of the disease.
