March 8, 2010

Philippine pork and chicken prices seen to increase in April

Prices of pork and chicken in Philippines are expected to increase PHP5/kg starting April due to the current dry spell in many parts of the country, a party-list lawmaker representing the agriculture sector said.

"The price of corn increased by PHP3.50/kg as corn is being used as feeds for pigs and chicken, the prices of pork and chicken may increase this April and May," said Rep. Nicanor Briones of Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP).

The dry spell caused by the El Niño phenomenon has caused some PHP11 billion in agricultural losses in 14 provinces.

Briones identified Isabela and Cagayan as the provinces that were hardly hit by the drought. Other affected areas include Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblom, Masbate, Antique, Guimaras and Negros Occidental.

The lawmaker said the agricultural sector estimates that the losses will reach to PHP20 billion or more even before the El Niño is over.

Adding to the woes of the farmers, Briones said, is the rampant smuggling of agricultural products - fish, pork, chicken and vegetable - into the country.

To alleviate the impact of the drought, he also urged the national government to suspend the Barangay Election scheduled in October and use to budget allotted for it to projects that will benefit the farmers.