Inventory in cold storages of dressed chicken rose while that of pork declined, data from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) showed.
The NMIS reflects the Department of Agriculture’s expected supply trend for chicken as early as now in the face of local poultry producers’ repeated calls for a temporary ban on chicken meat imports. Despite lower inventory, demand for pork has been soft due to the scare related to the African swine fever. Demand is expected to peak a few months before the last quarter, particularly the Christmas season.
In a report, the agency said as of June 22, pork inventory in cold storages were at 47,743.17 metric tons (MT) of which 9,764.84 MT are from local producers while the remaining 37,978.33 MT are imported. The figure is 2 percent lower from the previous week’s total of 48,750.21 MT and 3 percent lower from last month’s 49,264.30 MT but 7 percent higher from last year’s 44,232.22 MT.
Majority of local frozen pork in cold storages are currently in Central Luzon at 3,091.77 MT as Calabarzon had the most imported pork at 11,602.09 MT.
The NMIS report said as of June 22, dressed chicken inventory in cold storages were at 85,759.25 MT of which 42,487.29 MT are from local producers while the remaining 43,271.96 MT are imported.
The total is 1.8 percent higher from the earlier week’s total of 84,202.51 MT but 4 percent lower from last month’s 89, 601.25 MT, and 138 percent higher from a year ago’s 35,913.54 MT.
At present, most locally produced dressed chicken stored in cold storages are located in Central Luzon at 10,819.22 MT but the biggest chunk of imported dressed chicken are being kept in Calabarzon at 13,056.68 MT. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that as of June 30, retail prices of pork kasim is at a high of P300 per kg, a low of P240 per kg and prevailing at P240 per kg while pork liempo is at a high of P310 per kg, a low of P250 per kg and prevailing at P260 per kg.
The retail price of whole dressed chicken is at a high of P180 per kg, a low of P130 per kg and prevailing at P160 per kg.The Department of Agriculture said tby the end of December, chicken supply is good for 253 days but pork supply will not be enough for 43 days.
Meanwhile, it is also said that the Department of Agriculture and its related agencies are currently observing the country’s pork supply and demand amid reports that a new ASF has been detected in other countries.
With additional reports: Malaya.com.ph, Jed Macapagal
Photo Courtesy: PerishableNews.com, National Hog Farmer, cas.sk, Comunidade,
