Cebu City is not expecting a general shortage of pork this holiday season despite African swine fever cases in several upland communities, but authorities and industry players are keeping a close watch on the supply of pigs specifically raised for lechon.
Cebu City Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries head Jessica Maribojoc said local hog production remains sufficient to meet the city’s overall pork requirements. Many hog raisers across Cebu continue to operate, helping keep both supply and prices relatively stable.
The concern is more specific: Cebu has traditionally sourced many of its smaller, lechon-sized pigs from the Negros Island Region. Entry of live hogs, fresh and frozen pork, and processed pork products from Negros and other areas affected by ASF remains restricted as part of disease-control measures.
According to pork industry representative Rolando Tambago, Cebu has an adequate supply of larger slaughter pigs but lacks enough of the smaller native varieties preferred by lechon producers. These pigs are particularly sought after for their skin, which is associated with the crisp texture prized in Cebu lechon.
The supply gap comes as Cebu continues to deal with ASF cases. In Barangay Toong, 14 pigs have died, while 57 others are being culled as authorities work to contain the outbreak. Surveillance has also been expanded to nearby areas, including Buhisan and Pamutan.
Authorities are investigating how the virus may have entered the affected communities. Possible transmission routes being examined include the movement of pigs and people, slaughtering activities and contaminated equipment. Officials have also been tracing pigs reportedly linked to a stockyard associated with Negros, but these remain possible routes under investigation and have not been confirmed as the source of the outbreak.
For ordinary pork consumers, however, officials say there is no indication of a citywide shortage. Industry representatives also expect Cebu’s supply of regular slaughter pigs to remain sufficient into the first quarter of 2027.
The situation could nevertheless put pressure on lechon sellers as the holiday season approaches. With traditional sources in Negros restricted, traders may have to look for alternative suppliers within Cebu or elsewhere that can provide pigs of the size and type needed for the province’s lechon industry.
At the same time, Cebu hog raisers are facing another challenge: an oversupply of larger pigs has reportedly pushed farmgate prices to around P140 per kilogram live weight, with producers saying this is below their production costs as feed and other expenses remain high.
For now, Cebu’s message is that consumers should not expect a pork shortage during the holidays. But for the lechon industry, the bigger challenge may be finding enough of the right pigs while authorities continue efforts to contain ASF.
