Chicken output rises in first 3 months

CHICKEN production in the country grew by 3.3 percent in the first quarter of the year, with increases seen in almost all regions, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In its January-March Chicken Situation Report, PSA said total chicken output increased to 474,010 metric tons (MT) in the first three months from 459,060 MT in the same period in 2019.

Eleven regions posted significant production increases. Region 12 ( South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces and General Santos City, or Soccsksargen) posted the highest increment — 8.2 percent, from 16,390 MT to 17,730 MT.

Region 3 ( Central Luzon) yielded the highest amount of chicken at 173,160 MT. Regions 4A ( Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces, or Calabarzon) and 10 ( Northern Mindanao) followed with 81,260 MT and 41,880 MT, respectively.

“These three regions contributed 62.5 percent of the country’s total chicken production,” PSA said.

As of April 1, total chicken inventory was estimated at 185.58 million birds, up 0.4 percent from 184.86 million in January to March 2019.

Stocks of layer chicken increased by 4.2 percent ( 41.38 million birds), while that of native/ improved chicken and broiler chicken decreased by 0.7 ( 82.84 million birds) percent and 0.5 percent ( 61.96 million birds), respectively.

The average farmgate price of broiler chicken in commercial farms was P77.03 per kilo, up 5.7 percent from P72.86 per kilo last year.

During the quarter, the highest farmgate price was recorded in January at P85.54 per kilo; the lowest was in March at P60.46 per kilo.