The average farm-gate price of
broiler fell 5 percent to P71 per kilogram due to the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID-19) scare and the increase in poultry meat supply, according to the
United Broiler Raisers Association (Ubra).
Data provided by Ubra showed that
the average price of live broiler fell for the third consecutive week. The
latest figure is also the lowest quotation for live broiler since the start of
the year.
Ubra Chairman Gregorio F. San
Diego Jr. said demand for broiler meat declined as business activities were
slower due to the virus scare, referring to COVID-19. The confirmation of cases
in the Philippines had discouraged consumers from frequenting malls and eating
out.
Current broiler supply, which was
already high due to the hike in imports and production, has continued to
outpace demand, according to San Diego.
Despite the decline in farm-gate
price, the price monitoring report of the Department of Agriculture (DA)
indicated that the average retail price of dressed chicken in Metro Manila
remained elevated.
The latest figures from the DA
indicated that the average retail price of dressed chicken as of March 6 was at
P148.37 per kg, slightly higher than the previous week’s P147.04 per kg.
The retail price of dressed chicken
is more than double the prevailing farm-gate price of broiler, according to
Ubra’s data. Also, current prices are higher by than the suggested retail price
of P130 per kg set by the DA for dressed chicken.
Industry players told the BusinessMirror
that the country is “overflowing” with broiler due to high imports. Inventory,
they said, is swelling because of higher production from hog raisers who
ventured into broiler production following the outbreak of African swine fever
(ASF).
Certain cuts of chicken meat were
sold at discounted prices in one supermarket visited by the BusinessMirror.
Chicken leg quarter, thighs and drumsticks were priced at P135 per kg.
Ubra had warned that the
Philippines could see a chicken glut this year due to the influx of new
players, particularly those who have exited the hog business in the meantime
due to the ASF scare.
The DA announced that broiler
meat is a “priority alternative meat” for pork. Some Filipino consumers are
avoiding pork after the outbreak of the fatal hog disease in farms in Luzon and
Mindanao.
