July 25, 2007

Philippine chicken supply seen to improve in Q3

Chicken supply in the Philippines may improve in the third quarter of this year if the weather improves and chicken mortality drops, according to the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA).

But expect prices will be higher due to soaring production cost inputs like corn, coco oil and soya, UBRA president Gregorio San Diego told the Philippine Star daily.

San Diego said the production cost of chicken is around P60 per kilo resulting in a farmgate price of P75 per kilo for live weight.

Other poultry industry players said there is a need to allow chicken prices to increase by at least P20 to reflect the high cost of inputs.

Most chicken growers are not optimizing production because of the government pressure to keep chicken prices at below P100 per kilo.

US$1 = P44.82 (as of July 25)