November 23, 2006

Poultry shipments from US to the Philippines monitored

The Philippine Department of Agriculture is closely monitoring the entry of imported poultry from the United States following reports that traders might hoard the produce to raise domestic prices.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said that the department is keeping an eye on incoming imports to ward off delinquent traders who will take advantage of the situation as legitimate ones have not entirely subscribed to the entire authorised volume of 5 million kilogrammes of dressed chicken.

Companies allowed to import poultry are San Miguel Corp, RFM, Bounty Chicken, Tyson Agri Ventures, Philippine Association of Broilers Integrators and members of United Broiler Raisers Association.

Imported poultry is set to come in starting this week until Dec 31.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock and Fisheries Jesus Paras assured the government would be vigilant as hoarding is a common practice among traders.

The department noted that the price of live chicken at the farm level has risen by about P20 (US$0.40) per live weight, an indication of lack of supply. Prices at the wet markets ranged from US$2.40 to US$2.60 per kilogramme while groceries sell whole and cut-up chicken parts from US$1.90 to US$2.28 per kilogramme.

Yap noted the industry supplied consumers with 610,096 metric tonnes (MT) or 610.1-million kg of poultry meat in 2005. This year¡¯s projected supply has been pegged at a lower 605,385 tonnes or 605.38-million kilos.