DA: Enough pork, chicken supply even after holidays

Rappler.com

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DA: Enough pork, chicken supply even after holidays

ROLEX DELA PENA

The Department of Agriculture urges the public to remind traders that the country has an abundant supply of both kinds of meat

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s adequate supply of chicken and pork will keep costs of both products relative to suggested retail prices (SRP) even after the holiday season, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Saturday, December 27.

DA undersecretary for livestock Jose Reaño said that based on their recent market visits, retailers have no reason to jack up prices.

As of December 18, there were 17.88 million kilograms of chicken, higher than last year’s 12.7 million kilograms.

Despite this, Reaño said some markets continue to sell chicken at higher prices due to rising overhead costs such as store rentals. Mega Q-Mart, for instance, sell fully-dressed chicken at P145 ($3.24*) per kilogram.

“The overwhelming supply, however, will eventually force them to lower their prices,” he said.

Local production of pork is also sufficient, according to Reaño, but imported choice cuts have increased.

Prevailing price of pork belly or liempo reached P200 ($4.47) from the SRP of P185 ($4.14) due to the demand for the product this holiday season, and also due to port congestion in Manila.

Pork ham and kasim, meanwhile, reached P190 ($4.25) per kilogram in Metro Manila, said Reaño.

The DA undersecretary urged the public to remind traders that the country has an abundant supply of both kinds of meat, so price increases are rather unneccessary.

In June, the DA said that there were “opportunistic traders” who jacked up retail prices of chicken and pork in Metro Manila – even if there was no need to due to enough supply. – Rappler.com

*$1=P44.70

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