June 26, 2013
 

Imports increase dressed chicken, frozen pork inventory in the Philippines

The influx of imports has jacked up the current inventory of dressed chicken and frozen pork that are stocked in cold storages nationwide, data from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) show.

Figures from the NMIS showed that as of June 3, the inventory of dressed chicken went up by 53.44 % to 9,478.79 tonnes.

The agency said the increase in imported poultry meat propped up local supply. As of June 3, there were 4,954.25 tonnes of imported chicken meat compared to 1,857.42 tonnes registered last year.

The NMIS said figures on dressed chicken inventory included only those from accredited cold-storage facilities.

As for the inventory of frozen pork, the agency said there were 9,672.2 tonnes of the product in various cold-storage facilities nationwide. This is 4 % higher than the 9,293.38 tonnes registered last year.

Figures from the NMIS showed that imported frozen pork constituted the bulk of supply at 9,406.56 tonnes.

Trade and agriculture officials said the retail price of poultry meat and pork has been relatively stable due to ample supply. The opening of classes is expected to drive up demand for meat products.

Based on the June 22 monitor of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), the prevailing retail price of dressed chicken sold in Metro Manila markets was at PHP130 (US$2.98) per kilogram. This was the same price registered a month ago.

The BAS also said the prevailing retail price of pork kasim (ham) remained at PHP180 (US$4.13) per kilo and pork liempo (belly) at PHP190 (US$4.36) per kilo.

The Philippines imports dressed chicken and frozen pork under the so-called minimum access volume (MAV) of the World Trade Organization. The MAV scheme allows foreign producers to export to the Philippines at lower tariffs.