DELA TORRE ASKS AGRI DEPT TO GO EASY ON CHICKEN IMPORTATION

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Concerned about the situation of the broiler sector amid a supply glut, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) has urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to impose a moratorium on the importation of chicken into the country.

PRRM president Edicio dela Torre noted that increasing importation was not only unnecessary but it also worsened the current oversupply.

“In the meantime, there is enough reason, given the oversupply of chicken, to have a moratorium on further imports while the policy review is ongoing,” dela Torre said.

According to PRRM, the total chicken production would reach 2.26 million metric tons by year-end while the demand was only at 1.68 million MT.

The ending stock is expected to be around 780,000 MT.

Meanwhile, Elias Jose Inciong, chairman of the United Broiler Raisers’ Association (UBRA), argued that demand remains relatively weak but there have been some shifts to chicken because of high pork prices.

He admitted that imports were still increasing.

(el Amigo/MNM)