window Opportunity for Farmers PORK, CHICKEN PRICES GO UP

By: Orti Despuez, InterAksyon.com

June 23, 2014 4:46 AM

MANILA – Prices of chicken and pork products have gone up as well, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Based on monitoring by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, prices of these commodities have rise by 100 percent in retail markets.

As of June 19, a kilo of pork belly costs P180-220, whereas lean meat costs P180-200. Fully-dressed chicken retails for P125-150.

“We don’t see any reason for the prices of chicken and pork to rise, since both supply and farm gate prices for chicken and pork have been relatively stable,” Undersecretary Jose Reaño said, citing the P115-129 price range for pork, and the P92-97 for chicken.

While prices of chicken and pork tend to rise when classes open, Reaño said traders are taking advantage of the increase in prices of other commodities like rice, garlic and ginger.

“There seems to be large profit margin in marketing,” he said.

The DA however has no plans of increasing imports, which have gone down by 95 percent in recent years for pork belly and by 33 percent for pork cuts.

“Besides, the DA has clamped down on importations to benefit our farmers. Naghigpit ang DA para kumita naman ang ating mga farmers. Hog and chicken farmers are now earning,” Reaño said.