March 26, 2007

Saudi Arabia to import chicken from Philippines' Mindanao region
 

Chicken traders in Saudi Arabia have expressed interest  in importing chicken from the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, a report from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Southern Mindanao said.

According to the report, distributors and importers of chicken from the Middle East country are to source Mindanao-produced chicken as long as the price and quality are acceptable and has met the Halal food safety requirement.

DTI said efforts should be made to lower the cost of local chicken to make it more competitive. The buying price of chicken now in Saudi Arabia is pegged at 15 Saudi Rials (US$3.99).

Most chickens sold in Saudi Arabia came from Brazil and France.

Meanwhile, DTI is proposing to export "hatchling egg" as an alternative to exporting chicken to lower import cost. Hatchling egg will be exported to Saudi Arabia, and the chicken to be grown in partnership with local poultry farmer operators.

On the other hand, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported Davao City is able to produce 50 to 60 million of chicken eggs in a quarter.

More than 20 million of this is intended for local consumption, while more than 30 million is disposed and delivered to other neighbouring provinces.

But it is to be confirmed whether the city is interested to export its chicken eggs to other countries.