April 10, 2008

Cebu reports surge of chicken slaughter, less hogs

Cebu Philippines reported a 232-percent rise in chickens slaughtered this year to 175,711 against last year's 52,908.

Alice Utlang, the city veterinarian, said Tuesday that Cebu City abattoir would indicate the shift of customers from pork to chicken and even goat meat.

Less hogs were slaughtered at the abattoir in the same period this year with 21,277 hogs compared to last year's 25,446 hogs.

Local hog suppliers reportedly sent their supply to Manila which was experiencing a scarcity of pork after the biggest hog farms in Bulacan were affected by hog cholera.

Cebu dealers explained that the scarcity in Manila drove the prices up.

Currently, a kilo of pork costs PHP140 (US$3.36) to PHP150 (US$3.60) in the Philippines.

Utlang said that Cebu is importing hogs from other provinces, such as Siquijor, Bohol, Masbate, Negros, and Mindanao, as piggery farms could not cope with the demand.