January 29, 2008

Philippine poultry sector to leap by 15-20 percent in 2008

The Philippine poultry industry will grow by 15-20 percent this year, the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA) estimated.

UBRA president Gregorio San Diego assured of a stable supply of chicken in the country, but complained about the oversupply of eggs.

San Diego called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the steady supply of corn for feed mills to lower production costs not only of the poultry industry but also of the hog sector.

He stressed that the rising costs of production might compromise expansion of local poultry and hog sectors.

San Diego pointed out that there are more big poultry growers compared to the hog industry, which is 70 percent comprising of backyard producers. Thus, the toll of rising production costs has been higher for the small backyard hog growers and will likely affect the local pork supply, he said.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Animal Industry Director, Davinio Catbagan, also called on the government to ensure that cost of poultry production will be kept at a low level so farmers can compete with international prices. 

Catbagan pointed that Philippine poultry farmers always find it hard to compete with the biggest export rival, Thailand, due to high production inputs, particularly feed.

Other wayst to attain high export potential include good genetic material, disease prevention and control and sound biosecurity measures.

Catbagan said the Philippines can tap on poultry markets of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Hong Kong, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia.