THE Philippines is likely to import more chicken by next year as demand will continue to outpace domestic supply, according to the United States Department of Agriculture through its Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Manila.
In a report dated Oct. 3, 2024, FAS Manila said imports would reach 480,000 metric tons (MT), up 2 percent from this year’s expected 470,000 MT.
Local production next year is estimated to reach 1.63 million MT ready to cook (RTC), up 3.8 percent from this year’s 1.57 million MT RTC.
“Despite high operating costs, primarily due to high domestic corn prices, the chicken meat sector rapidly expanded in the first and second quarters of 2024. FAS Manila anticipates this growth will generate positive momentum for 2025. The recent decline in imported soybean meal prices, another major component of the broiler feed ration, will carry into 2025 and help offset some of the corn cost in the ratio overall,” the report said.
Local chicken consumption is also seen to go up 2.9 percent to 2.11 million MT RTC from this year’s 2.05 million MT RTC.
The same report said local chicken meat consumption is estimated to grow faster than the other main animal proteins due to economic growth, a sustained increase in population and the continued impact of African swine fever on pork products.
The report also said easing inflation will support household consumption of chicken as well as the continued expansion of the local food service sector.
Based on data from the Bureau of Animal Industry, as much as 255.38 million kg of imported chicken meat arrived in the country from January to July this year, equivalent to 33.7 percent of all imported meat arrival for the period.
Data from the Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Bantay Presyo in select markets in Metro Manila showed as of October 3, whole dressed chicken is priced at P170 to P230 per kg.
