Egg, poultry prices increase amid holiday demand

Egg and chicken prices have risen in some markets amid lower supply and an increased demand during the holidays, Bernadette Reyes reported on “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

Latest data from the Department of Agriculture's (DA) price monitoring showed current prices of poultry products in Metro Manila stood at P180 to P220 per kilo, higher than its year-on-year price of P145 to P180 per kilo.

According to the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA), the increased demand for the produce stemmed from its more affordable pricing compared to pork, which is now at P400 per kilo, and beef which is currently priced at P480 per kilo.

“Sa tingin namin, itong season lang medyo, dahil kokonti 'yung nag-alaga ng manok medyo naubos 'yung mga inaalagaan, hindi ganun karami na 'yung balanse kaya name-maintain 'yung mataas na presyo hanggang after new year,” said UBRA chairperson Gregorio San Diego Jr.

(We think this is because there is a lower supply due to the Holiday that’s why the prices were not maintained.)

Likewise, the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) said there was a decreased production of egg products in the county due to the higher operating expenses of breeders following the hike in prices of hatchlings and chicken pellets.

Farmgate prices of medium-sized eggs are at P6.40 to P7 per piece, making its retail price in markets at P8.66 to P9 per piece, the group added.

“Itong mapa-pasko kasi maraming gumagawa ng cakes, leche flan, tumaas 'yung demand. Although medyo ilang buwan na 'yan, hindi naman ganun karami ang supply. 'Yung iba hindi na makabalik sa pag-aalaga ng paitluging manok kasi wala nang kapital,” said San Diego.

(More people were making cakes and leche flans, during the Holidays that’s why there was an increase in demand. Although it has been happening in the last months, the supply was not increasing. Other breeders also did not return because they have no money for capital.)

GMA News reached out to the DA for a statement but it has yet to respond as of press time. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA Integrated News