Chicken Farmgate Prices Plummet to P80 per Kilo: A Crisis for Local Producers

--- The Current Situation The current farmgate price of P80 per kilo stands in stark contrast to production costs estimated between P105 and P110 per kilogram. Gregorio San Diego, UBRA Chairman Emeritus, expressed the dire situation faced by farmers, stating, “Bagsak na ang presyo sa farmgate ang broiler. P80 per kilo. Luging lugi na kami.” This price drop translates to losses of approximately P25 to P30 for each kilogram sold, creating a significant financial burden for broiler producers. Factors Behind the Price Drop San Diego attributes the declining prices primarily to a surge in imported broiler chickens combined with a decrease in local consumption. “Andaming imported na dumadating eh mahina consumption. Sabi ko nga, andaming supply kokonti naman ang pera ng tao,” he noted. The influx of cheaper imports has overshadowed local production, leading to a market oversupply while consumer purchasing power remains low. Consumer Impact Despite the drop in farmgate prices, consumers in Metro Manila are seeing whole chicken prices ranging from P150 to P220 per kilogram. San Diego argues that the benefits of lower farmgate prices are not reaching consumers. Instead, importers are the ones reaping the rewards, as they can lower their prices slightly to attract buyers toward imported broilers rather than locally produced options. “Kaya ‘yun nga sinasabi na hindi nagrereflect sa retail (ang farmgate). Meron talagang disconnect. Makikinabang din syempre ang mga importer,” he explained. Government Response and Industry Concerns The UBRA is increasingly concerned about the government's awareness of the challenges faced by local producers. San Diego highlighted that even with daily price submissions to the Department of Agriculture, government support has been insufficient. “Eh bente per kilo. … Hindi namin alam kung hindi naintindihan ng gobyerno ang sitwasyon,” he said, indicating a disconnect between policymakers and the realities on the ground.

### Broader Trends in the Market In addition to the challenges facing broiler chicken prices, the egg market has also experienced fluctuations, with prices dropping by P0.50 per piece in some regions. However, as the Christmas season approaches, prices are expected to rise. Currently, retail egg prices in Metro Manila range from P7 to P14 per piece, depending on size and type. Whole chicken prices have remained relatively stable, though they are already P10 lower than figures recorded earlier in October. ---