May 29, 2023

 

Rise in chicken, hog and cattle productions in Philippines during January-March 2023

 

 

The production of chicken, hog and cattle in the Philippines increased in the first three months of 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

 

Chicken production was estimated at 470,210 tonnes liveweight in January to March 2023, indicating an annual growth of 3.3% from the 455,040 tonnes liveweight output in the same period of 2022.

 

Total chicken inventory reached 195.48 million birds as of March 31, 2023, higher by 3.0% than the previous year's same period count of 189.71 million birds.

 

Central Luzon was the top producer of chicken with 162,440 tonnes liveweight or 33.75 million birds, equivalent to 34.5% share of total chicken production. This was followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 81,060 tonnes or 28.62 million birds and Northern Mindanao with 21.26 million birds or 44,220 tonnes

 

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the continued growth of domestic chicken production as of the first quarter this year may have been encouraged by higher prices.

 

"Better weather conditions and higher selling prices may have led to higher production, as well as pick up in demand as the economy reopens further toward greater normalcy," he said.

 

Meanwhile, hog production during the same period was at 437,990 tonnes, or an increase of 5.1% from the 416,720-tonne output in January to March 2022.

  

The Philippines' total swine inventory was estimated at 10.18 million heads as of March 2023, reflecting a 4.2% increase as compared to the previous year's same period count of 9.77 million heads.

 

Calabarzon recorded the highest hog output with 61,180 tonnes liveweight or a 14% share to the total hog production.

 

Ricafort noted that the hog production increased despite African swine fever hitting more areas or provinces in recent months, especially in some parts of Southern Philippines or the Visayas area. He added that the decrease in farmgate prices may have to do with increased import of pork or meat products to increase local supplies.

 

Meanwhile, cattle production in the country increased by 1.9% or 53,890 tonnes as compared to the 52,890 tonnes recorded in the same period of the previous year.

 

During the period, Northern Mindanao was the top producer of cattle with 11,260 tonnes or 20.9% share of the total cattle production.

 

Total cattle inventory was estimated at 2.7 million heads, a decrease of 0.2% compared with the previous year's same period count of 2.58 million heads.

 

Central Visayas recorded the highest cattle population of 341,060 heads as of the end of March 2023.

 

- The Manila Times