QUEZON CITY, April 20 (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture in a statement said it will implement today, Monday, a lower suggested retail price (SRP) for chicken in Metro Manila markets.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala approved the P110 per kilogram temporary SRP for whole chicken recommended by the Department’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) Director Leandro Gazmin and the United Broiler Raisers Association, until gate prices stabilize.
The previous SRP for chicken was P135 per kilo.
Alcala signed a memorandum directing the price adjustment on April 15.
“This will be implemented effective today, Monday, April 20, 2015,” Alcala said.
The DA, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is continuously monitoring the prices and supply of chicken.
Based on AMAS’ regular monitoring of the price of chicken from the United Broiler Raisers Association, the farm gate price of chicken as of April 6 lingers around P51 per kilo in Northern Luzon, with prices ranging from P47-54 per kilo, and P53.20 in Southern Luzon with prices ranging from P48-59 per kilo.
According to AMAS’ chicken price monitoring of selected markets in Metro Manila, as of Sunday the gate prices of chicken has improved to 60 -65 although chicken inventory is still above 20 million kg.
As of April 15, the prevailing price of fully-dressed chicken is P120 per kilo, with prices ranging from P98-140 per kilo. Meanwhile, prices of chicken in supermarkets range from P96-112 per kilo. Choice cuts chicken is not covered by SRP.
With the recent announcement of the new SRP, sales of chicken in public markets and supermarkets have improved, Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Jose Reaño said.
Recently, Usec Reaño announced that farm gate price of chicken and hogs will be posted in wet markets’ DTI price bulletin boards in Metro Manila so that consumers will know if the said commodities are being sold at reasonable prices.
Thru this, the consumers can demand and question retailers who are selling chicken and pork at exorbitant prices.
The move will also help the poultry raisers who are losing money as of now because of the over-supply of chicken. (DA-OSEC)
