Sluggish demand tempers rise for Philippine pork and chicken prices

As feared, Philippine consumer demand remained weak in the first two weeks of December beleaguered a rise in prices of pork and chicken.

According to Albert Lim of the newly-formed Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, and Gregorio San Diego of the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA) confirmed that demand this year remains weak even after two weeks into December.

Lim and San Diego are hoping that demand picks up this week with the final preparation for Christmas and the New Year.

Farmgate prices of live hogs, Lim said has gone up only slightly to PHP112-PHP116 (US$2.39-US$2.48) per kilogramme, thus keeping retail prices hovering at from P130 (US$2.78) to P180 (US$3.85) per kg.

However, Lim pointed out that consumers are already balking at a PHP175 (US$3.74) per kg retail price.

San Diego noted that some consumers have shifted to chicken as pork retail prices were off their budget. Because of a combination of weak demand and chicken imports, he disclosed that farmgate prices for chicken is still below PHP100 (US$2.14) per kg and is hovering at around PHP94 (US$2.01) to PHP95 (US$2.03) per kg.

UBRA, San Diego said, was even surprised at the higher volume of chicken importation. Even with an election year coming up, San Diego dispelled the perception that demand would pick up.