DA keeps import curbs on chicken, pork

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Agriculture said over the weekend that while chicken and pork prices were increasing locally due to “opportunistic” traders, the government was limiting importations for the benefit of farmers.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Operations Jose Reaño said both supply and farmgate prices for chicken and pork have been relatively stable.

Historically, he said, the prices of chicken and pork tend to rise when classes open and start to stabilize after a few weeks. The official said he did not see any other reason for the prices of chicken and pork to rise.

“Traders and retailers with opportunistic attitudes are taking advantage of the spiralling price of other commodities,” he said.

He said that during the last three weeks, farmgate prices for chicken ranged from P92 to P97 while those for pork ranged from P115 to P129. As of this week, price of live pork was down by P1 in Mindanao.

In some areas, there is almost a 100 percent jump in prices from the farm to the market. “There seems to be large profit margin in marketing,” Reaño said.

As of June 19, the price of pork belly in markets monitored by the department’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) was at P180 to P220 per kilo.

Lean meat was sold at P180 to P200 while dressed chicken was sold at P125 to P150.

“Despite the surge in the prices of chicken and pork in our country, ours is still the lowest in the Asean, so importation is not recommended,” he said.

Besides, Reaño said, the clampdown on importation is meant to benefit Philippine farmers.

“DA is being strict on imports so that local farmers can earn. Hog and chicken farmers are now earning,” he said.

The Philippines’ pork importation has gone down 93.5 percent for pork belly products and 32.34 percent for pork cuts, according to DA.

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