July 13, 2022

 

Philippines' chicken production improving, according to Bureau of Animal Industry

 

The Bureau of Animal Industry of the Philippines said the local production of chicken and chicken products is already improving after poultry raisers warned of a possible shortage in the next two quarters.

 

DA-BAI officer-in-charge Reildrin Morales said the agency held a meeting with the broiler industry and fast-food chain stakeholders to discuss concerns over low production.

 

"We had a meeting… with our broiler industry stakeholders and they told us that the production cycle is already improving," Morales said.

 

The low supply, coupled by an increase in demand, caused chicken prices to rise.

 

"Let's wait for the harvest in July and August. Let's see in the incoming cycle. Hopefully, the supply catches up with the high demand," Morales said.

 

He added that, among the challenges faced by broiler producers that led to the shortage are high prices of imported feeds, such as corn and soybean meal. Other factors are the weather condition that extended the time in raising poultries from 32 to 42 days, continuous increase in the price of petroleum products that affects logistical operations, and the avian influenza already experienced in some parts of the Philippines.

 

Morales said the DA has already elevated its surveillance to prevent a possible outbreak of the avian influenza.

 

"We have ordered a collection of samples so that while we do not have a full-blown outbreak yet, we would have an early detection," Morales added.

 

Meanwhile, the president of the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA), Elias Jose Inciong, said a shortage would ensue if production problems were not addressed.

 

The group advised Philippines President Bongbong Marcos, who concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), to craft a plan to boost yield and optimise border controls to prevent zoonotic diseases from reaching the local poultry population.

 

"There is no support. There is no plan. We never received the kind of support other countries are giving to their agriculture sector," Inciong said. "Those who are still in the sector are surviving on their own, not because of the government." giants said the chickens were just too small or too light for their requirements.

- Manila Standard