Chicken supply seen to improve in Q3

Chicken supply is expected to improve in the third quarter of this year, once the weather improves and chicken mortality declines, the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) said yesterday.

However, prices are going to be higher as the cost of production inputs such as corn, coco oil and soya are currently high, UBRA president Gregorio San Diego said.

San Diego said the production cost of chicken hovers around P60 per kilo resulting in a farmgate price of P75 per kilo for live weight.

Other poultry industry insiders said there is a need to allow chicken prices to increase by at least P20 reflect the high cost of inputs.

Because of government pressure to keep chicken prices at below P100 per kilo, most chicken growers are not maximizing production.     — Marianne Go