March 31, 2023

After spike in pork prices, chicken prices also rising in the Philippines

An official from the Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) said retail prices of chickens are rising in the country, following a spike in pork prices, The Philippine Star reported.

According to Agriculture Assistant Secretary and Deputy Spokesman Rex Estoperez, United Broiler Raisers Association president Bong Inciong and UBRA chairman Gregorio San Diego said the farmgate price of chicken increased to PHP 120 per kg, causing a movement in retail prices.

Estoperez said this is unusual because because industry participants said chicken prices usually fall after the holiday season.

Data from the DA showed the retail price of a whole chicken ranged between PHP 150 and PHP 200 per kg.

Estoperez said many poultry raisers in the Philippines have stopped operations, so this is a supply and demand issue.

Pork prices increased to PHP 420 per kg in Metro Manila markets last week, due to a shortage of pork caused by the spread of African swine fever (ASF).

Estoperez said the DA is looking into importing frozen chicken to bring down prices.

Domingo Panganiban, Philippines' Agriculture Senior Undersecretary, lifted the ban on live cattle imports from the Netherlands, Brazil and Spain. This also includes meat products, bovine processed animal proteins and semen derived from cattle.

-      The Philippine Star