November 18, 2024

Philippines' Department of Agriculture to tackle increasing retail prices of chicken and eggs

Efforts are being done by the Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) to address the high retail prices of chicken and eggs amid complaints from the country's poultry raisers that the drop in farmgate prices does not reflect retail prices in the markets.

"Agriculture is such a huge bureaucracy and department with so many commodities involved, but Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel will address this in due time," Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said.

United Broiler Raisers Association chairman emeritus Gregorio San Diego said that the farmgate price of chicken has dropped to ₱80 per kilo (US$1.44), but the retail cost is as high as ₱220 per kilo (US$3.96) amid low demand.

San Diego added that broilers are suffering losses of up to ₱50 per kilogramme (US$0.90) as the production cost has reached between ₱105 (US$1.89) and ₱110 per kilogramme (US$1.98).

Based on monitoring of the DA in Metro Manila markets, the retail price of whole chicken ranged between ₱150 (US$2.70) and ₱220 per kilogramme (US$3.96).

San Diego added that the farmgate price of eggs has decreased to 50 centavos per piece (US$0.009), but the retail price remains high.

The retail price of medium-sized eggs ranged between ₱8 (US$0.14) and ₱9 per piece (US$0.16).

- PhilStar