March 2, 2009

The Philippine poultry sector ended 2008 stronger, increasing by 4.74 percent against the 0.22 percent growth yearago due to higher commercial broiler production.

 

Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reveal that total production reached 1.71 million tonnes (MT), valued at P46.65 billion (US$947.46 million) at 1985 constant prices compared to 2007's record of 1.64 million MT valued at P44.55 billion.

 

Chicken production was the primary source of growth during the period as output went up 5.76 percent against a scant 0.47 percent growth the previous year, said BAS.

 

The growth in poultry would have been higher if it were not for the declines in duck meat and duck egg, says BAS.

 

Total chicken production for the year reached 1.28 million MT, higher than last year's 1.21 million MT.

 

Production was valued at P34.26 billion against the P32.4 billion recorded in 2007.

 

The BAS explains that broiler production in dressing plants throughout all quarters have increased.

 

Moreover, the agency noted other contributing factors including the establishment of new broiler commercial farms in Ilocos Norte, increases in the number of contract farms in November and notable increases in native chicken production in the second semester.

 

Chicken egg production likewise went up by 4.67 percent, stronger than the 1.46 percent registered in 2007.

 

Total chicken egg output for the year reached 350,770 MT and valued at P10.06 billion over the previous year's 335,110 MT with a value of P9.61 billion.

 

The BAS emphasized that impressive improvement in egg-laying efficiency ratio of layers particularly in Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) boosted production uptrend in 2008

 

Production of duck meat and duck egg on the other hand recorded another decline of 7.61 percent and 9.66 percent, following the respective slump of 7.68 percent and 6.08 percent in 2007.

 

Duck meat production declined to 39,230 MT from last year's 42,460 MT while duck egg production slid to 42,450 MT from 46,990 MT.

 

Productions were valued at P1.38 billion over last year's P1.49 billion and P954.28 million versus P1.06 billion, respectively.

 

Low level of cullings of layers was blamed for lower duck meat production while the decline in duck egg output was traced to fewer duck layers in the Visayas and Mindanao. Non-replacement of stocks during the 12-month period contributed to the drop.

 

The poultry sector shares 14.11 percent of the total agricultural production.

 

Gregorio A. San Diego, Jr., chairman and president of the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA) earlier declared that poultry production might decrease this year by 20 percent as the industry faces increasingly difficult conditions, with lack of feeds impacting production and as they face more competition from within Southeast Asia.

                                                                                         

Poultry Production at Constant Prices