Prices of pork, chicken, beef spike ahead of Christmas Day

MANILA, Philippines — Prices of pork, beef, and chicken in major wet markets in Quezon City spike up as Christmas day goes nearer, a television report said Monday. In her report over QTV 11's Balitanghali, GMA News' Mariz Umali reported that at the Kamuning Market alone, the price of pork had already risen up to P130 per kilogram, a steep P30-increase from its previous P100. Further, Umali quoted vendors as saying that they could not do anything since their suppliers continuously increase their prices as well. In fact, the prices of pork have been increasing by P2 daily for almost two weeks now, the report added. The price of beef which was previously pegged at P230 shot up by a steep P20 increase. It has gone as high as P240 to P250 a kilo, the report added. Chicken meat, meanwhile, is being sold at a minimum of P125 a kilo but the price is still subject to change depending on the brand. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) explained that the increase in meat prices during the Yuletide season is very normal because of the big consumer demand. It, however, added that prices of meat must remain reasonable and should be in accordance with their price ceiling. BAS said the cost of meat in the market should be pegged between the following prices: Beef: P200 – P250 Pork: P145 – P170 Liempo: P150 – P170 Whole Chicken: P105 – P130 - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV