• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
More than two years after the Negros Occidental hog industry was devastated by the African swine fever and hog cholera, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has declared that the province is gradually recovering from its effects.
Dr. Placeda Lemana, provincial veterinarian, said yesterday the province’s hog population, based on their recent survey and inventory, is now 250,000 to 300,000 compared to more than 500,000 before hog cholera and ASF hit the industry in 2023.
Negros Occidental, which has a P6-billion swine industry, recorded almost 18,000 hog deaths in 2023. Losses were estimated at around P200 million.
This resulted to a decline in swine production in the first semester of 2024, which was attributed to the effects of ASF and hog cholera.
As of this time, Lemana said they have not monitored any recurrence of ASF and hog cholera cases in the province, noting also an increase in shipment of hogs to Cebu, Samar and Luzon, and selling of hogs from 3,353 in January to 9,112 heads this July.
The average slaughtered hogs in Negros Occidental per month also went up to 22,000 to 23,000 compared to previous months of 18,000 to 19,000, PVO records showed.
Due to the increase in numbers of swine being shipped out from the province, Lemana said “it shows that we have a sufficient supply of hogs.”
Ironically, the average market price of pork in the province is from P325 to P343 per kilo, she said. | GB
