Record High Chicken Prices in Metro Manila Amid Declining Broiler Output

Chicken prices in Metro Manila have surged to a record high of P250 per kilogram as local broiler production declined, and poultry farmers aimed to recoup losses incurred in previous months.

According to the latest price monitoring report by the Department of Agriculture (DA), whole chickens in Metro Manila were being sold for between P190 and P250 per kilogram at the beginning of this week. This marks a significant increase from last month when prices ranged from P160 to P220 per kilogram, reflecting a P30 hike.

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Jose Gerardo Feliciano, president of the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA), stated that the current price of P250 per kilogram is "too high," noting that market prices should ideally range between P210 and P230. He also suggested that such high prices might indicate market exploitation due to limited supply in certain areas.

In a press briefing yesterday, Feliciano explained that the rising chicken prices are a consequence of reduced broiler stocks, as farmers have scaled back their flock loading to recover from previous losses. The farm gate price of day-old chicks has surged to P43 per chick, nearly double the usual average of P24, indicating reduced broiler output and a lack of supply of day-old chicks.

"There is already some sort of panic. It means that there is no supply of day-old chicks," Feliciano remarked.

Despite these challenges, Feliciano reassured the public that the country still has sufficient stocks of broilers. "Supply is there, but the problem is the sizes," he said, highlighting an issue with the availability of adequately sized broilers.

UBRA data revealed that average farm gate prices of broilers fell below P100 per kilogram last October and remained low until January this year. During this period, prices ranged from P91.47 to P97.12 per kilogram, below the estimated break-even cost for regular-sized broilers, which is between P100 and P110 per kilogram.

This month, the average farm gate price of broilers has risen to around P137 per kilogram, indicating a reduced supply in the market. This price is already 9% higher than the average of P125.57 per kilogram recorded last month, according to UBRA data.

As the broiler industry navigates these fluctuations, consumers are advised to stay informed about market prices and supply conditions to make informed purchasing decisions.

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