October 6, 2006
 

The Philippines to import US chicken

The Philippines will import three million kilogrammes of dressed chicken to fill in a possible supply shortage after typhoon Milenyo (international codename: Xangsane) destroyed a number of livestock and poultry farms in the country last week.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that, for the first time in three years, the country will import dressed chicken from the United States to augment its chicken supply until December where poultry demand is at its peak.

Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban assured consumers that the imports would provide enough stocks up until the holidays, adding it would not be a "chicken-less December".

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila said that prices of vegetables have increased as a result of the typhoon, though he said there were no major changes in prices.

Favila also noted the shortage of canned goods in the market.