September 14, 2022

 

Philippines poultry producers urge action on smuggled chicken

 

 

Poultry producers in the Philippines have urged the country's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to take action on increased cases of smuggled chicken, as farmers are affected by declining prices now between PHP 92 (~US$1.62; PHP 10 = US$0.18) and PHP 112 (~US$1.97) per kg, The Manila Times reported.

 

Gregorio San Diego Jr, chairman of the United Broilers Raisers Association (UBRA), said the Philippines received at least 212 million kg of imported chicken between January and July 2022, with the amount of frozen chicken that arrived was 24 million kg in May, 45 million kg in June, and 38 million kg in July.

 

San Diego said this does not include the chicken that is smuggled into the country as they do not have a record, adding that chicken farmgate prices have declined by PHP 5 (~US$0.088) per day.

 

He said prices usually go up during the weekend but last weekend, it dropped further by PHP 10 (~US$0.18).

 

Even though farmgate prices have gone down, chicken retail prices at wet markets have remained at PHP 158 (~US$2.78) to PHP 200 (~US$3.52) per kg.

 

Data from UBRA showed there will be 32.7 million kg of chicken stored in accredited cold storage facilities on August 22, 2022, and 38.9 million kg on August 24.

 

San Diego said these are the only cold storage facilities with accreditation; those without accreditation are not included. Production was impacted by a rise in the quantity of frozen food imports.

 

Many local fundraisers are considering stopping their business as a result, San Diego said.

 

Additionally, the Philippines brings in hatching eggs from Spain, which are also used for broilers. At least 3 million hatching eggs were imported in July, and at least 3.6 million hatching eggs entered the country in August.

 

San Diego issued a warning that numerous Filipinos would be uprooted if the farmgate price of chicken kept decreasing.

 

He said they are providing employment, but those who are dependent on poultry production will lose their jobs if local poultry raisers stop their business.

 

According to San Diego, the Department of Agriculture has authorised the import of up to an additional 416 million kg of chicken.

 

-      The Manila Times