Hog, chicken production increase in Q2

MANILA, Philippines — The local production of chicken and hogs increased in the second quarter, showing there’s enough supply of the commodities.

Based on the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, chicken production went up three percent to 477,110 metric tons (MT), while swine population improved four percent to 580,111 MT.

The increase was attributed to the expansion of broiler farm capacity, improvement of farm facilities, opening of new commercial broiler farms in several areas, and the increasing demand from households, food processors and hotel establishments.

PSA said most of the regions posted positive growth in production with Central Luzon remaining as the top producer of chicken,  contributing 38 percent of the total production.

This was followed by Calabarzon and Northern Mindanao with corresponding shares of 17 percent and eight percent, respectively. Of the total chicken produced in the country, more than half or 62.4 percent were from these regions.

Total chicken inventory was estimated at 192 million birds, up 2.8 percent year-on-year. Layer and broiler chickens posted increments, while native chickens declined by 1.5 percent.

Average farmgate price during the period was  P74.65 per kilogram, 14 percent lower than a year ago.

The gross value of chicken production in the second quarter amounted to P40.4 billion at current prices, down by seven percent.

Meanwhile, total hog production reached 580,111 MT, up four percent due to the sustained demand for pork, especially, during the election period in Cordilleras, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and ARMM.

Total swine inventory reached 12.7 million heads, nearly one percent lower than the previous year’s inventory of 12.78 million heads.

Inventory in backyard farms contracted by 1.2 percent, while commercial farms inched up 0.4 percent.

Among the regions, Central Luzon recorded the highest in terms of inventory and was followed by Calabarzon and Western Visayas. The three regions contributed 44.5 percent to the country’s total hog production.

Average farmgate price of live hogs for slaughter decreased by seven percent to P110.15 per kilo this year.

During the quarter, the gross value of hog production at current prices was P63.9 billion or three percent lower than the gross receipt of P65.9 billion last year.