Dressed chicken inventory declines by more than half to 16,819.49 MT

THE country’s dressed chicken inventory nationwide as of February 15 declined by more than half to 16,819.49 metric tons from 38,008.71 MT in the same period of last year, latest National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) data showed.

Latest NMIS data showed that bulk of the volume were imported or about 10,771.80 MT, while the remaining volume of 6,047.69 MT were locally produced.

NMIS data also showed that the latest inventory as of mid-february was flat from the previous week’s 16,739.24 MT.

However, the volume was 35 percent lower than the 25,924.54 MT recorded dressed chicken inventory in the previous month, based on NMIS data.

United Broiler Raisers Association (Ubra) President Elias Jose Inciong said the current inventory level “is not a comfortable level” given the disruptions in trade caused by Covid-19 and rising demand for chicken meat due to higher pork prices.

NMIS said their data doesn’t include fresh chilled chicken and mechanically deboned meat (MDM) of chicken. Furthermore, NMIS added that the data only include those from accredited facilities.

“Inventory already in distribution channels are not included,” the NMIS said.

In the same latest report, the NMIS said the country’s pork inventory in accredited cold storages as of February 15 declined by 43.14 percent to 23,094.71 MT from 40,616.34 MT recorded in the same period of last year.

NMIS data also showed that the latest pork inventory was 9.45 percent higher than the 21,100.28 MT recorded in the previous week but 12.13 percent lower than the 26,283.67 MT recorded on January 18.

NONOY LACZA A TYPICAL day for dressed chicken vendors at a Quezon City wet market. The National Meat Inspection Service has disclosed on Wednesday that the country’s dressed chicken inventory has plunged to more than half compared to the same period last year—from 38,008.71 metric tons to 16,819.49 Mt—as of February 15, 2021.