Manila, Sept. 7 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said hog raisers' "fastbreak" selling, rather than overimportation, is behind the recent decline in farmgate pork prices.

The DA said local hog producers have rushed to sell their animals amid fears of another outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), which has historically resurged during the third quarter amid the rainy season.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the current decline in farmgate prices is driven by the industry's move to sell hogs earlier than planned, rather than by an import surge.

"Rather than risk getting hit by ASF, or having an outbreak occur next door, they want to sell everything before they are affected," he said, noting that...