(PNA file photo)
MANILA – While there is no alarming effect that has been monitored on the supply of poultry, the intense heat may however affect the growth of chicken, according to the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) on Thursday.
“Wala kaming nakikitang sakit para sabihin natin na mag-alarma pagdating sa supply ng kinakain nating karne (We are not seeing a disease that we can mark as alarming when it comes to the supply of our meat)," UBRA President Jay Feliciano said in a radio interview.
However, he mentioned several effects on chicken due to hot weather conditions, which may cause delay in their growth and later on could cause artificial shortage.
"Ang pangunahing epekto niyan is iyong delay sa paglaki. Magbibilang ka siguro dalawa o apat na araw (The prime effect is the growth delay. Perhaps you'll count two or four more days)," he said.
"Iyong mga dapat 34, 35, nagiging 38. Pero hindi ko nakikitang magiging dahilan siya na magkaroon kami sa kakulangan ng manok (The supposedly 34 [days], 35, becomes 38. But I don't see it causing a supply shortage in chicken)," Feliciano added.
He explained that these delays may cause a supply drop in markets for a day or more leading to price tweaks.
These changes in retail prices, however, stabilize on its own once the delayed chicken supply reaches the market, Feliciano said.
Based on UBRA's monitoring, the average farmgate price of chicken is pegged at PHP95/per kilogram to PHP102/kg.
As of Thursday, the prevailing retail price range of whole chicken in the National Capital Region (NCR) is set at PHP150/kg to PHP200/kg, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA)'s Bantay Presyo (price watch). (PNA)
