November 8, 2011
Philippines eyeing chicken exports
The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is hoping to seal deals for the export of poultry as well as vegetables to other Asian countries, according to Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.
Alcala said the Philippines and South Korea are finalizing a deal for the export of chicken meat, adding that the country's bird-flu free status is a big advantage.
The Philippines remains one of the countries that are free of avian Influenza (AI), commonly known as bird flu.
Bird flu is an infectious disease in chickens, ducks, and other birds caused by different subtypes of the influenza A virus.
According to Alcala, the favourable conditions give the country a better fighting chance in its bid to become a reliable source of quality livestock products, notably for the global halal market. However, Alcala revealed that there's no export volume as of yet for chicken exports to Korea.
He added that officials from the embassy of Korea will do the validation and ocular inspection.
The DA is trying to open up more export markets for Philippine poultry growers following a production boom that has caused local farm-gate prices to drop.
The Philippines is now 93 percent sufficient in poultry production, according to DA data.
The Philippines currently exports processed chicken, in the form of yakitori or nuggets to Japan.