Pork, chicken supply stable despite Lando damage – DA

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala assured the public yesterday there is sufficient supply of pork and chicken for the holiday season despite the onslaught of typhoon Lando on Central and Northern Luzon.

“Our supplies are sufficient even after Christmas,” Alcala said.

Alcala said prices of chicken and pork are also expected to remain stable.

 “Typhoon Lando’s damage to the livestock sector is minimal compared to that of Typhoon Glenda,” he said.

Typhoon Glenda pummeled Southern Tagalog in July last year, affecting the poultry population in the region last year and causing chicken prices to skyrocket in Metro Manila.

Alcala said the Department of Agriculture has also received assurance from meat processors regarding the sufficiency of supply.

 “This is significant because Filipinos have the habit of preparing early for the holidays since prices of commodities tend to go up during the Yuletide season,” Alcala said.

Farmgate prices of chicken  currently range from P73 to P75 per kilogram while pork prices range from P97 to P98 per kg.

At retail, whole chicken prices range from P125 to P140 per kg in major markets in Metro Manila.

Pork belly retails for P190 to P210 per kg while lean pork meat retails for P180 to P190 per kg.

Prices of pork and chicken traditionally rise during the Christmas season because of increased demand and falls in the first quarter of the year as demand wanes.