Sales of pork, chicken weak in Philippines

The Philippine Star reports that retail sales of pork and chicken remain slow, even as the holidays approach.

At P130 to P180 per kilogram, retail pork prices are more than consumers are accustomed to paying. Albert Lim, spokesperson for the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, told the newspaper that farmgate prices are slightly higher than normal at P112 to P116 per kilogram.

Chicken prices are lower than they were last year, but this has not boosted sales of domestic chicken, said Gregorio San Diego of the United Broilers and Raisers Association. The Philippines has imported 8 million kilograms of chicken this year, substantially more than the 5 million expected by the association, he said.

Combined with weak demand, this has left farmgate prices at about P94 to P95 per kilogram. Retail prices for dressed chicken are about P130 to P145 per kilogram.