November 1, 2006

Philippines expands emergency import of chicken

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) will allow the additional importation of two million kilogrammes of chicken in case demand for the produce would outpace supply as the country approaches the holiday season.
           
Agriculture undersecretary for operations and livestock and fisheries Jesus Paras told the Business Mirror that the chicken shortage is now at seven to 10 million kilogrammes.
           
Paras said the department has approved the importation of a "standby volume" of two million kilogrammes as the shortfall of chicken is already apparent.

Earlier, the DA has approved processors' request to import three million kilogrammes of chicken from the US.          

This meant a total import of 5 million kilogrammes or about 5,000 tonnes.

Paras explained that typhoon  Milenyo has wrought extensive damage to the poultry sector, causing the estimated shortfall in supply.
           
The DA has earlier granted the request of the private sector to suspend the additional duties on imported chicken up to December 31 to ensure that the price of the imports are competitive.
           
The special safeguard (SSG) duty requires importers to pay additional tariffs for imported chicken coming in at less than the trigger price of P94 (US$2) per kilo.

Though meat processors and importers are allowed to bring in more chicken, Paras said the DA will strictly monitor chicken imports under the Minimum Access Volume to avoid an influx of chicken products.