‘Chicken prices to drop as ASF issues resolved’

MANILA, Philippines — Chicken prices are expected to decline once African swine fever (ASF) cases become less and issues are addressed, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

“We hope to see lowering [of chicken price] soon as demand eases as we hear lesser issues on pork with ASF,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said yesterday.

He said demand for chicken and other non-pork products has been driving their prices up.

For instance, retail price of chicken in a supermarket in Makati City has gone up seven percent in the last six weeks.

There has been aversion to consume pork due to the unresolved outbreak of ASF in the country.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs.

While ASF is a severe viral disease affecting pigs, the World Organization for Animal Health or Office International des Epizooties has said this does not pose health risk to humans.

Lopez earlier said a shift to other meat products is expected until the outbreak is contained.

Earlier, Philippine Statistics Authority chief Dennis Mapa also said higher chicken prices are expected leading to the holiday season as consumer demand shifts away from pork given the ASF outbreak.

With increased demand for chicken, Mapa said this would encourage poultry raisers to hike production.

He said the higher production by poultry raisers should also give a boost to the agricultural sector.