September 8, 2006

Philippines poultry industry to remain weak

Philippines broiler production contracted further during the first half of 2006, after a decline throughout 2005, according to USDA data.

The dismal results in 2005 were due to weak local demand for chicken meat and a high carryover of stocks since the end of 2004.

The weak demand was attributed to rising consumer prices. The same factor, plus rising oil prices this year, would continue to affect demand, according to the USDA

Philippines poultry consumption now stands at 7.7kg/head a year.

The Philippines has exported processed poultry products mainly to Japan and other Asian countries since 2004.

During 2005, the Philippines imported 27,400 tonnes of chicken meat, mainly from Canada (34 percent), the US (29 percent), Australia (16 percent) and Brazil (16 percent).

Chicken imports for the first four months of 2006 jumped 44 percent to 5,941 tonnes, due to low prices as consumers in certain countries shunned poultry meat.

This year, Philippines imposed temporary bans on poultry imports from 34 countries due to bird flu. It later lifted bans on products from Germany, Malaysia and France.