Vitarich plans poultry expansion despite bird flu threat

Listed animal feed and food product manufacturer Vitarich Corp. eyes to further expand its poultry business in Luzon even as bird flu continues to pose a threat to the country.

Vitarich president and CEO Ricardo Manuel Sarmiento announced last week that they were keen on opening more physical stores in Central Luzon, saying that the company’s products could soon be found “in every major grocery” store by the end of the year.

“We want to be available in more areas. Online [stores] have a limitation, and I think that would be better in the National Capital Region,” Sarmiento said, noting that online expansion could be challenging for other provinces such as Pampanga and Bulacan.

The company’s frozen chicken products are found mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as in Central Luzon, Bicol and Isabela province in Luzon.

However, Vitarich also needs to consider the possible impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on its poultry business.

Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) show that while six provinces have been declared bird flu-free, several provinces still have active cases of HPAI.

According to BAI, HPAI is still present in Cordillera and Central Luzon—Vitarich’s main target for expansion.

But Sarmiento remained optimistic, and pointed out that neither its partner breeders nor broiler farms were affected by bird flu.

“We continue our strict biosecurity efforts and with a little luck, I think we will be OK,” he said.

Planning is currently ongoing for Vitarich’s target output this year. Sarmiento said they needed to grow more chicken to support their expansion plans and support value-added products.

Vitarich currently harvests around 4 million kilograms of chicken a month nationwide.

Last week, the company announced plans to enter the hog production business even as threats from the African swine fever remained.

Sarmiento cited the expected recovery of the industry next year and reiterated Vitarich’s intention to enter the industry through piglet production.

He added that hogs should be available before July 2024. INQ