May 24, 2024

 

Retail price of chicken in Philippines rose by US$0.17 per kilo

 

 

The retail price of chicken in the Philippines has increased by ₱10 (US$0.17) per kilo as it is being sold for as high as ₱230 (US$3.95) per kilo compared to the previous ₱220 per kilo, according to the country's Department of Agriculture (DA).

 

Based on the DA's latest monitoring of Metro Manila markets, the retail price of chicken ranged between ₱170 (US$2.92) and ₱230 per kilo.

 

On May 16, it ranged between ₱170 and ₱220 (US$3.78) per kilo.

 

Gregorio San Diego, chairman emeritus of the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) and Philippine Egg Board, bewailed the disparity between the farmgate price and the retail cost of chickens.

 

"The retail price of agricultural products is always far from the farmgate price. Prices of live broilers in the farms ranged from ₱120 (US$2.06) to ₱127 (US$2.18) per kilo," San Diego said.

 

Based on UBRA's monitoring of the farmgate price of chicken in Luzon, it is ₱119 (US$2.05) per kilo in Tarlac, ₱125 (US$2.15) per kilo in Batangas, ₱125 per kilo in Pampanga, ₱125 per kilo in Cavite and ₱121 (US$2.08) per kilo in Bulacan.

 

"The broiler farmers decided to lessen their production as they are not earning. They are suffering losses for the last eight months," San Diego said.

 

Meanwhile, the DA's decision to add eggs in relief packs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is a win-win solution amid oversupply and the continued drop in the farmgate price, San Diego said.

 

In 2010, egg producers proposed to former agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala to add eggs in DSWD's relief packs, he added. They recently proposed this again to Agriculture Undersecretary for livestock, Deogracias Victor Savellano.

 

The DA is eyeing a collaboration with DSWD to add eggs in disaster relief packs, said Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa.

 

"During typhoons and disasters, it is important that the food that we distribute is not only food," de Mesa said. "Noodles, sardines and canned goods are easy to pack but we need to ensure that there is dignity in the food that we distribute to our fellow Filipinos during disasters so this is a win-win solution. You will be able to help the farmers and provide nutrition to those affected by calamities.

 

"Once we determine the number of eggs needed by the DSWD, the (Department of Education), we can easily connect them with egg producers."

 

The Batangas Egg Producers Multipurpose Cooperative has been producing roasted eggs that can last up to six months, De Mesa noted.

 

"It will cost more compared to raw eggs but efforts are being made to reduce the cost of producing roasted eggs so that it will be sustainable in the long run," he said. "It can be restored up to six months as it is already cooked."

- The Philippine Star