December 22, 2023

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc urges import restrictions on chicken

In response to the falling farmgate prices of chicken, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc (PCAFI) is advocating for limitations or a complete halt to chicken imports, asserting that the influx of imported chicken has led to a disruption in local poultry production, The Manila Times reported.

PCAFI president Danilo Fausto emphasised the necessity to recalibrate or cease chicken imports, attributing the decline in farmgate prices to the surge in imported chicken. In a memorandum submitted to the Department of Agriculture (DA), Fausto urged regulatory intervention to address the situation.

The latest data from the Philippines Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Industry revealed that the Philippines imported approximately 359.2 million kg of chicken from January to October 2023, marking a 9.62% increase compared to the 327.68 million kg recorded in the same period the previous year. Chicken constitutes the second-highest imported meat product, representing 35.2% of the country's total meat imports, following pork shipments that accounted for 49.48% during the period.

Meanwhile, pork imports experienced a 16.93% decline, reaching 504.3 million kg during the same period, down from 607.1 million kg in the previous year.

As of December 11, 2023, the county’s National Meat Inspection Service reported a frozen dressed chicken inventory of 58,480.85 metric tonnes (MT). Notably, most of the inventory, comprising 60.8%, originated from imports, totalling 35,556.53 MT, while 39.19% (22,924.32 MT) were locally produced, with Central Luzon contributing the highest local volume of dressed chicken at 8,933.27 MT.

Fausto said there is a critical need to import mechanically deboned meat, as it is currently not produced locally. He raised concerns about deboned chicken competing directly with local chicken production, despite the latter being sufficient to meet local demand.

Additionally, Fausto recommended a shift in feed sources for poultry and livestock animals, proposing an increase in the production of cassava and sweet potato to substitute corn and wheat. In October, the Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc expressed concerns about local corn supply and quality issues, anticipating potential price increases in poultry products like meat, eggs, and fish.

Fausto suggested that the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp introduce insurance coverage for crops, livestock, poultry, and dairy against climate change, pests, and diseases, aiming to instil confidence among potential investors in the sector.

-      The Manila Times