THE country’s total inventory of dressed chicken in cold storage as of April 25 increased by 22.14 percent to 25,268.29 metric tons (MT), from the 20,687.98 MT recorded in the same period last year, according to the latest report from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).
This is 51.07 percent higher than last month’s stock of 16,726.13 MT and 5.3 percent more than
last week’s record of 23,995.57 MT.
About 73.79 percent of the total chicken inventory during the period was locally produced, while the rest was imported.
The country’s frozen-pork inventory for the week ending April 25 rose by 8.35 percent to 12,445.33 MT, compared to the 11,485.72 MT posted in the same period last year.
This is 7.77 percent more than last month’s inventory of 11,548.18 MT, but 11.28 percent less than last week’s frozen-pork stocks at 14,027.94 MT.
The bulk, or 10,938.99 MT, of the stocks registered during the period was imported, while the remaining was
locally produced.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala earlier said the country’s advantage in the livestock and poultry industries will be a significant factor that will drive the growth of the whole agricultural sector this year.
Undersecretary for Livestock Jose C. Reaño said in a separate interview that the Department of Agriculture is targeting to increase the Philippines’s livestock production by 5 percent, and the poultry output by 6 percent this year.
“The livestock and poultry subsector’s growth will be driven by more investments in swine, chicken and ruminant raising,” he said.
The United Broiler Raisers Association also expressed confidence increased poultry production can be expected during the year, unless major setbacks, such as typhoons and diseases, occur.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the country’s livestock production expanded by 4.66 percent in the first quarter of the year.
Cattle and hog production both went up by 0.49 percent and 5.47 percent, respectively. The increase was attributed to the high demand for both commodities. Carabao production dropped by 1.43 percent and goat production inched down by 0.15 percent.
The country’s poultry subsector posted a 1.01-percent growth in output. Duck, chicken egg and duck egg all registered increases in output, while chicken production slightly decreased by 0.29 percent.
“Among the reasons cited [for the decrease in chicken production] were the notable delays in loading of day-old chicks in broiler farms in the Ilocos Region and Central Luzon due to the scare of New Castle Disease,” the PSA said.
New Castle Disease manifests as respiratory (symptoms include sneezing and coughing), nervous (tremors and paralyzes) or digestive (diarrhea) problems. It can be fatal to poultry if not
arrested immediately.
The disease hit poultry early this year in Central Luzon, but was arrested before it hit chicken in other areas.
The Ilocos region, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley reported damage due to the New Castle Disease. The hot weather also contributed to the lower live weight of chicken.
