August 27, 2025

 

Philippine farmers group push for improved input access to boost poultry output

A farmers' group in the Philippines is sounding the alarm over insufficient inputs for poultry production.

 

In a statement by the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), the group raised the alarm over inadequate supplies of farm inputs such as feeds, yellow corn, and hatching eggs—all vital components of poultry production.

 

PRRM president Edicio dela Torre urged the government to expedite the accreditation of input suppliers to allow farmers access to cheaper and more reliable resources.

 

Currently, the shortage of farm inputs is raising production costs, thereby weakening the local industry's competitiveness.

 

He said addressing the shortage of essential inputs would allow farmers to produce more efficiently and sustainably, ensuring a stable supply and avoiding dependency on finished chicken imports.

 

He noted that the local industry grew by nearly 10% early this year. Ironically, it is also under threat from an oversupply of imported chicken, depressing farmgate prices but not actually bringing down retail costs.

 

Data showed that as of end-June, imported dressed chicken in cold storage stood at nearly 36,000 metric tonnes, up 17 percent year-on-year. The current inventory is equivalent to about one month's worth of extra supply, on top of ongoing production.

 

The PRRM likewise called for strengthening local production through infrastructure upgrades, corn tariff reduction, and fair access to feeds and hatching eggs.

 

"Addressing the shortage of essential inputs would allow farmers to produce more efficiently and sustainably, ensuring a stable supply and avoiding dependency on finished chicken imports," PRRM added.

 

Meanwhile, the movement also said the local industry is also under threat from an oversupply of imported chicken, depressing farmgate prices.

 

According to PRRM, imported dressed chicken in cold storage stood at nearly 36,000 metric tonnes, up 17 percent year-on-year.

 

The current inventory is equivalent to about one month's worth of extra supply, on top of ongoing production.

 

- Philippine Daily Inquirer Top of Form