Updates on price and production of livestock, poultry and its allied commodities were discussed in the special meeting of the National Banner Program Committee on Poultry, Livestock and Corn (NBPC on PLC) on June 21, 2022.

The report of the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) as of June 17 showed a PhP10/kg increase on the price of pork pigue/kasim compared to last month. Its prevailing retail price is now at PhP350/kg while a PhP20/kg increase was recorded on the price of whole chicken at PhP200.

The cost of feed ingredients, particularly feed wheat, copra meal, yellow corn, and rice bran, also increased compared to last month.

With the price of wheat increasing amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict, NBPC on PLC Chairperson Arnulfo Frontuna stressed that the stakeholders should be given sufficient information on the status of feed wheat availability and its importation.

He also requested that DA be ready to address related concerns and provide alternative sources for this feed ingredient.

For better monitoring of industry status and sounder drafting of policy recommendations, Dr. Frontuna recommended the passing of a resolution that will include key industry players and private sector representatives in the Bantay Presyo Technical Committees. This will be in relation to the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council-Special Budget Committee’s resolution, recommending the reactivation of the Price and Volume Watch Committee.

Furthermore, the Committee recommended the conduct of retooling trainings on forecasting and data analysis of agri-fishery data for DA units such as the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Service, National Corn Program, National Rice Program, and High Value Crops Development Program. 

Another special meeting will also be held to discuss the FY 2022 Minimum Access Volume Allocation and Status of Utilization for PLC Commodities, volume of feeds and feed ingredient importation for 2020-2022, and the available credit and insurance programs for PLC industries. | JCL