The Bureau of Animal Industry said the local production of chicken and chicken products is already improving after poultry raisers warned of a possible shortage in the next two quarters.
DA-BAI officer-in-charge Reildrin Morales said the agency held a meeting with the broiler industry and fast-food chain stakeholders to discuss concerns over low production.
“We had a meeting yesterday with our broiler industry stakeholders and they told us that the production cycle is already improving,” Morales said.
The low supply coupled by an increase in demand caused chicken prices to go up.
On Monday, the DA’s Bantay Presyo (Price Watch) showed that the prevailing market price for whole chicken in Metro Manila now ranges from P190 to P220 per kilogram, higher than the price range last June 30, except for Malabon and Commonwealth Market, which maintained their lower prices. As of end-June, the price of a whole chicken only ranged from P181 per kilo to P205 per kilo.
“Let’s wait for the harvest in July and August. Let’s see in the incoming cycle. Hopefully, the supply catches up with the high demand,” Morales said.
Morales said among the challenges faced by broiler producers that led to the shortage are high prices of imported feeds, such as corn and soya bean meal.
Other factors are the weather condition that extended the time in raising poultries from 32 to 42 days, continuous increase in the price of petroleum products that affects logistical operations, and the avian influenza already being experienced in some parts of the country.
Morales said the DA has already elevated its surveillance to prevent a possible outbreak of the avian influenza.
“We have ordered a collection of samples so that while we do not have a full-blown outbreak yet, we would have an early detection,” Morales added.
On Monday, the president of the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA), Elias Jose Inciong, said a shortage would ensue if production problems were not addressed.
The group advised President Marcos, who concurrently heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), to craft a plan to boost yield and optimize border controls to prevent zoonotic diseases from reaching the local poultry population.
“There is no support. There is no plan. We never received the kind of support other countries are giving to their agriculture sector. Those who are still in the sector are surviving on their own, not because of the government,” Inciong said.
A number of restaurants—including fast food establishments—have been complaining of a tightness in the supply of dressed chicken for their requirements.
Last week, Jollibee and McDonald’s Philippines confirmed that some of their stores have temporarily stopped offering certain chicken products due to “unavailability of chicken supply that meet their standards and specifications.”
In separate statements, the food giants said the chickens were just too small or too light for their requirements.
