Philippine Hog News:

[mikey]

Wednesday, August 13, 2008Print This Page
San Miguel Profit Trebled
PHILIPPINES - San Miguel Corp. profit jumped by a factor of three in first half of the year. Feeds delivered "solid performance" while higher live pig market prices allowed SMPF-Vietnam's piggery operations to post significant improvement.



A report in Manila Times says this profit was supported mainly by income from its beer and food operations.

South-east Asia's biggest food and beverage company disclosed its half-year results to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The company said its net income reached 19.7 billion pesos (PHP) in the first semester as its total revenues went up by 9 per cent to PHP79.8 billion after businesses led by its beer subsidiary registered steady volume and revenue growth.

The end-June profit was 199 per cent higher than in the same period a year ago. Profit growth boosters included savings of PHP5.67 billion from discontinued operations in the first quarter, non-recurring gains from San Miguel Brewery Inc.'s initial public offering and the sale of San Miguel's stake in KSA Realty.

"Faced with challenging economic conditions affecting consumer spending behavior and escalating input costs, we're particularly encouraged by these results," said Ramon Ang, San Miguel president and chief operating officer, pointing to growth "achieved across almost all of our reporting segments in the first six months of 2008."

Mr Ang said to drive volumes in San Miguel food and beverage businesses, the company continues to expand brand availability into new consumption occasions and across the expanding network of outlets.

"We've also put in place several cost saving and productivity initiatives to meet near-term profitability challenges," he added.

During the period, the company's consolidated operating income increased by 28 percent to PHP8.21 billion year-on-year. Profit from continuing operations during the period was significantly higher at PHP14.5 billion than last year.

Volumes of San Miguel Brewery Inc. rose 7 percent as revenues of PHP23.8 billion were 9 percent higher than last year. Operating income for the first semester reached PHP7.16 billion, a 25-percent growth from previous year.

San Miguel's international beer operations ended the first half with overall volumes growing 4 per cent and revenues 30 per cent to $136 million. Volumes were strongest in Indonesia and Thailand and in San Miguel Brewing International Ltd’s export business.

Ginebra San Miguel's volume, meanwhile, grew 16 per cent on growth from gin and brandy. Net income was PHP243 million, 5 per cent higher than last year, while revenue grew 17 per cent year-on-year.

Despite unprecedented commodity and fuel price increases, San Miguel's Food Group under San Miguel Pure Foods Co. delivered consolidated revenue of PHP33.7 billion, 16 per cent higher than last year.

Feeds and poultry delivered solid performances and coffee turned in better margins. The Food Group's income from operations ended at PHP1.26 billion, 7 per cent higher than last year on account of stronger poultry volumes and contained fixed operating expenses, while higher live pig market prices allowed SMPF-Vietnam's piggery operations to post significant improvement.

San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Group posted operating income of PHPP758 million, a 156 per cent rise year on year, while revenue increased 8 per cent to PHP10.1 billion due to stronger sales in plastics and glass.

[mikey]

Friday, August 29, 2008Print This Page
Vaccination for Swine Diseases to be Launched
THE PHILIPPINES - The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the launch of a P30 million massive vaccination program to stop the outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PPRS) and other emerging swine diseases in Central Luzon.



The DA will also provide feed subsidies to complement an ongoing stock dispersal program to help the sector recover from a growth slump in the first semester.

The livestock subsector contracted 3.33% in the first semester of 2008, with hog production suffering a decline of 4.33% during the period owing to an outbreak of swine in Central Luzon, reports GMA News.

In a statement, Bureau of Animal Industry Director Dave Catbagan said the subsidy program for the hog industry will be carried out in Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon), which will involve assisting backyard raisers acquire healthy piglets and their required animal feeds.

The DA will also include in its rehabilitation package for the livestock sector animal health programs and laboratory services, Catbagan said.

The stock dispersal program, which has been going on will go full blast next month, Catbagan said.

The feed subsidy program aims to grow hogs by at least an additional 10 kilograms to 15 kilograms to increase output from the national average of only 77 kilograms.

As part of measures to assist the hog growers, BAI and the National Meat Inspection Service will finalize plans to complement the meat inspection laboratories set up in General Santos City and Polomolok in South Cotabato .

Catbagan said he was optimistic that a bright future lies ahead for the Philippine hog industry, with local producers soon to ship pork cuts to Singapore after complying with the island-state’s stringent requirements, including an assurance that these pork items are free from banned drugs and veterinary drug residues.

He said Singapore’s Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority recently accredited the Matutum Meat Packing Corporation in Polomok, South Cotabato as the sole processor of pork exports to that country.

[mikey]

Thursday, September 04, 2008Print This Page
PROVET Launches 'Piglet Restocking Program'
THE PHILIPPINES - The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Regional Field Units (RFUs) and in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian recently launched the "Piglet Restocking Program" in selected municipality/barangay beneficiaries the Antique province.



The objective of this program is to increase pork production in Regions III, IV-A and Regions V and VI to be able to meet the demand in Metro Manila calculated to be realizable and to reach the consuming public just in time for Christmas season.

Accordingly, this program was undertaken to cushion the impact of pork shortage in Metro Manila, as a result of great pork inventory losses suffered by Regions III and IV-A when an outbreak of animal diseases hit their swine industry last year.

In like manner, neither Regions II, IV-B and V could sufficiently support pork to Metro Manila, because they too experienced a drop in pork production during the prior years.

Meanwhile, out of 181 beneficiaries allotted for the province of Antique, partial deliveries were already made among the municipalities of Patnongon, Barbaza and Tibiao equally receiving 20 piglets each through piglet subsidy at the cost of P1,000.00 per piglet. These shall be distributed at a minimum of two piglets per swine raisers.

It was learned that this program is to continue until the objective will have been achieved and also when the top pork producing regions supplying pork in Metro Manila will have recovered from their losses in the swine industry.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008Print This Page
First Batch of Restocking Piglets Received
THE PHILIPPINES - Being the first beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Piglet Restocking Program, the provinces of Antique and Iloilo received a total of 730 piglets.



The DA regional field unit 6 (DA-RFU 6) information division disclosed that the total number of piglets released to the two provinces were 590 in Iloilo and 140 in Antique, writes Adelaida Bulaon.

The office said the delivery for other provinces are scheduled in the next succeeding weeks subject to the availability of stocks.

The DA central office has identified Western Visayas as one of the five regions in the country to implement the program that aims to provide sufficient supply of pork to Metro Manila during the last quarter of the year and address the market requirement this Christmas season.

DA regional executive director for Western Visayas Larry Nacionales said the department through the Livestock Development Council (LDC) has allocated P4,526,000 for piglet subsidy to identified livestock raisers in the region.

A total of 2,263 heads will be released to the identified beneficiaries in the region to include 414 heads in Aklan; 362 heads in Antique; 496 in Capiz; 262 in Guimaras; 1,582 in Iloilo and 1,410 heads in Negros Occidental.

The beneficiaries were identified by the DA RFU 6 in coordination with the provincial and municipal officials of the recipient provinces.

It is expected that an estimated volume of 407,340 metric tons or 19,400 heads at 90 kilograms per head will be produced out of the program, Nacionales said.

Under the program, the DA will provide piglet subsidy of P1,000/piglet at a maximum of two piglets per swine raiser.

Other participating regions are Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog (Regions IV A and B), and Bicol Region.

The sites were identified because of their proximity to Metro Manila and availability of stocks present in the areas.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008Print This Page
First Batch of Restocking Piglets Received
THE PHILIPPINES - Being the first beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Piglet Restocking Program, the provinces of Antique and Iloilo received a total of 730 piglets.



The DA regional field unit 6 (DA-RFU 6) information division disclosed that the total number of piglets released to the two provinces were 590 in Iloilo and 140 in Antique, writes Adelaida Bulaon.

The office said the delivery for other provinces are scheduled in the next succeeding weeks subject to the availability of stocks.

The DA central office has identified Western Visayas as one of the five regions in the country to implement the program that aims to provide sufficient supply of pork to Metro Manila during the last quarter of the year and address the market requirement this Christmas season.

DA regional executive director for Western Visayas Larry Nacionales said the department through the Livestock Development Council (LDC) has allocated P4,526,000 for piglet subsidy to identified livestock raisers in the region.

A total of 2,263 heads will be released to the identified beneficiaries in the region to include 414 heads in Aklan; 362 heads in Antique; 496 in Capiz; 262 in Guimaras; 1,582 in Iloilo and 1,410 heads in Negros Occidental.

The beneficiaries were identified by the DA RFU 6 in coordination with the provincial and municipal officials of the recipient provinces.

It is expected that an estimated volume of 407,340 metric tons or 19,400 heads at 90 kilograms per head will be produced out of the program, Nacionales said.

Under the program, the DA will provide piglet subsidy of P1,000/piglet at a maximum of two piglets per swine raiser.

Other participating regions are Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog (Regions IV A and B), and Bicol Region.

The sites were identified because of their proximity to Metro Manila and availability of stocks present in the areas.

[mikey]

Swine Raising for Meat Production In the Philippines
Roundworm infection
Roundworm infection is caused by the bacterial agent scientifically known as Ascaris lumbricoides. Symptoms of this disease depends heavily on the number of worms present in the pigs, management and nutrition of the animals. Pigs infected with this disease demonstrate a slow growth rate, thinness, thick and dull hair growth. Pigs may expel worms through vomit or feces.

This disease may be treated by oral administration of a de-wormer through fees or drinking water. Piperazine dewormers are effective treatment of this disease.

Swine dysentery
Swine Dysentery is caused by the bacteria Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. This disease is common to pigs at weight twelve to 75 kg. Severe cases sometimes occur in sows and their sucking piglets. The bacteria associated with these diseases causes a severe inflammation of the large intestine with dysentery or bloody mucus diarrhea.

This disease is characterized by loss of appetite, fever, weakness, rough coat and watery feces spotted with blood or mucus.

Twitching of the tail, slight reddening of the skin, sunken eyes and dehydration may also be observed. Sudden death may occur in heavy finisher pigs.

Antibiotics in feed for two weeks may be used to treat this disease. New arrivals should be quarantined for seven days and fed high level antibiotics to prevent this disease.

Costs and marketing
Important factors should be considered before venturing into the swine raising enterprise.

A backyard operation requires investments in housing facility with a concrete floor that is livable for hogs, and a viable and healthy seed stock. The backyard operation also requires operation expenses such as feeds, veterinary services, medication and supplements. Livestock insurance is also a n operation expense to be considered.

Large scale operations require fixed investments that include hog houses, facilities and equipment. Required hog houses are farrowing houses or stalls, a gilt/dry/gestating stall, a boar house, a weaning house, a growing/fattening house and an isolation house. Equipment investments for a large-scale operation include water pumps, electrical connections, hammer will, feed mixer, hog scales, and other farm and sanitation equipment. Stock investment are sows or gilts and boars. Large-scale operation expenses are on hog feeds, veterinary services and medication, vitamin supplements, repair and maintenance of buildings and maintenance of machinery and equipment.

Hogs are marketed at weight of 8o kg. There are three ways to market finishing pigs: through a middleman, direct marketing, or auction marketing. Middlemen act as buying or selling agents. Direct marketing to meat processors may be done without the sue of middlemen. Auctioning at a market may also be done where animals are sold to buyers with the highest acceptable price per kilo liveweight or per head. It is important to scout the market for the most viable marketing type in the area before starting a hog farm.

Proper shipment and transport of the pigs should be observed when marketing a large number of hogs. This minimizes losses caused by shrinkage, bruises, injuries and possible deaths.

Large animals should be separated from smaller pigs by a partition. Loading facilities should be provided to proper loading of animals. Beddings of sand and saw dust should be provided when necessary. These beddings should be wet down before loading top keep the animals cool and comfortable in hot weather. Transport vehicles should not be over crowded or over loaded. Hogs should be protected from stress and excitement and should be given enough rest before they are butchered. The animals should not be overfed before transport to prevent vomiting or suffocation.

Record keeping is a key tool in a successful operation and marketing. Record keeping must be kept simple and precise as this can be used for improvements and adjustments to achieve the maximum profitability of the farm and successful daily farm operation.

The two types of records are economical and technical. Economical records refer to the financial side of the operation. This record includes price of meat, price of weanlings and price of feed. Technical records are production and farm schedule. This includes age of sow, farrowing dates, and number of piglets.

[mikey]

Updates on Pig Nutrition
A well-renowned international animal nutrition expert share his expertise to the Filipino commercial hog raisers.

The recent technical forum on “Feeding the Prolific Sow to Maximize its Genetic Potential” and “Feeding Strategies to Optimize the Performance of Piglets” sponsored by SARIMANOK HEALTH AND NUTRITION COMPANY (makers of Sure Value Veterinary PIGROLOC HOG FEEDS) last May 22 reconfirmed what animal nutritionists have been saying about sow feeding-that it need not be a laborious task. In fact, a basic understanding of nutrition can go a long way in improving the overall health and performance of pigs.

The speaker, Dr. Ken Bryant, an expert in swine nutrition and Senior Vice President of North American Nutrition Companies, Inc. emphasized the following factors that influence sow productivity. These include management, herd health, environment, genetics and nutrition. Focusing his lecture on the latter, the animal nutrition expert says the there are key management practices that is needed in order to improve feed intake. These are provision of ample fresh water; keeping sows comfortable; keeping feeders clean; wetting feeds; feeding more frequently not overfeeding sows in gestation. In their company for example, the outspoken scientist says their research challenge is how to feed each sow to meet her specific nutrient demand at each phase of the reproductive cycle.

Bryant, whose company is considered as one of the most advanced research centers in animal nutrition, also underscored North American Nutrition’s basic animal nutritional philosophy: “minimal nutritional stress after weaning and gradual adaptation to simple diets.” He said the basic features of an effective nursery feeding program should be one which is highly palatable and digestable, uses high quality ingredients, properly fortified to meet requirements and should be positioned correctly.

A significant part of Bryant’s lecture focused on nutrient requirements for starter pigs. He said that all these depend on the weight and age of the pig, the animal’s daily feed intake and environmental stresses. He then went on to discuss the how the digestive enzyme development of pigs changes rapidly during the early post weaning period and that the rate of development is influenced by five factors: age at weaning; health status; environment; management and nutrition.

[mikey]

Friday, September 26, 2008Print This Page
Meat Processors Protest Ban on Pork Imports
THE PHILIPPINES - The country’s largest group of meat processors has protested over a ban imposed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) on pork importation, warning that this could affect the supply of meat products in the coming holiday season.



In a statement on Friday, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) said that it had sent a letter to Secretary Arthur Yap on September 23, requesting for the immediate lifting of the suspension of import applications for pork manufacturing-grade parts.

BusinessWorld reports that last September 16th, Mr. Yap instructed the the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to suspend the issuance of (veterinary quarantine clearance) VCQ for pork import applications, amid pressures from Congressman Nicanor Brioners and an influential group of hog raisers.

Mr. Briones blamed the presence of imported pork in the wet markets for a large inventory of 50,000 to 60,000 oversized hogs, amid a lack of market demand.

"It is disappointing to note that the DA would unilaterally and immediately react to this allegation without a benefit of consultation on confrontation with importers and processors who are users of imported pork parts," PAMPI said.

The meat processors said the suspension of pork importation took effect without the conduct of a dialogue between PAMPI members and the hog raisers, or the DA and BAI, or among the three parties.

"It is fearful to think that the DA would actually decide to sacrifice the meat processing industry so that you could submit to the pressures that Congressman Briones and the hog raisers have applied upon your department," PAMPI said in their letter to Mr. Yap.

PAMPI claimed that the suspension of VCQ for pork importation has affected the delivery of manufacturing-grade parts needed by the meat processing industry, including pork bellies, fats, offals, and skin/rind.

Data from the BAI that show as of September 13th, pork imports reached 83,454 metric tons, compared to the 12-month importation of 79,381 MT in 2007.

PAMPI said that while the pork import volume this year appeared quite high, this cannot be traced to the importation of manufacturing-grade pork parts.

"Our importation of manufacturing grade pork parts are not unreasonably high compared to 2007 volumes, except for bellies which has become scarce in local supply, forcing us to depend on imported sources to support the increased demand of bacons," PAMPI said.

As of August 30, imports of pork bellies reached 6,503,480 kilos this year, against 3,343,918 kilos in August 2007.

PAMPI said what contributed to the surge in pork importation this year was the increase in the shipments of "cuts".

"We do not believe that the meat processors would be the importers of this category of pork parts," PAMPI said, noting that importation of cuts reached 23,761,236 kilos as of August 2008, against 4,963,011 kilos in August 2007.

"A sweeping control on, or restriction, of all pork imports will be an unfair stance for the meat processors and would challenge the enterprise system in a free economy. The distortion in market behavior of pork prices may have been introduced by the entry of huge volumes of pork cuts," PAMPI said.

PAMPI asked the government to reduce, if not suspend the importation of pork cuts, while allowing the uninterrupted sourcing of manufacturing grade parts for bellies, deboned pork parts, fats, offals, rind/skin, which are substantial raw materials for processed meat products that utilize pork-based formulations.

[mikey]

Monday, November 03, 2008Print This Page
Hog Cholera No Threat to Humans
PHILIPPINES - Hog cholera or swine fever affects only pigs and has no detrimental effects on other animals or humans.



However, the potential damages to the pig industry would be severe.

The disease is endemic in Asia, Central and South America, and parts of Europe and Africa. It was believed to have been eradicated in the United Kingdom by 1966. It was eradicated in the United States of America in 1978.

On August 20, 2007, the Department of Agriculture investigated the outbreak of swine flu in Nueva Ecija and Central Luzon prompting the Philippine National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to raise a hog cholera "red alert" warning over Metro Manila and five regions of Luzon.

The pesti virus almost ruined the backyard piggeries in Bulacan and Pampanga, top hog producers in Central Luzon.

Agriculture officials said it killed at least 500 pigs of the 5,438 infected heads before it was contained.

Hogs stricken with the virus lose their appetite, show signs of diarrhea, and later, constipation and red spots on the skin. It also causes fever, skin lesions, convulsions, and usually (particularly in young animals) death within 15 days.

The acute form of hog cholera is highly virulent, causing persistent fevers that can raise body temperatures to as high as 107°F.

The chronic form of hog cholera causes similar clinical signs in affected swine, but the signs are less severe than in the acute form.

Discoloration of the abdominal skin and red splotches around the ears and extremities often occur. Pigs with chronic hog cholera can live for more than 100 days after the onset of infection.

The mild or clinically inapparent form of hog cholera seldom results in noticeable clinical signs. Affected pigs suffer short periods of illness often followed by periods of recovery. Eventually, a terminal relapse occurs.

The most common method of transmission is direct contact between healthy swine and those infected with hog cholera.

The disease can also be transmitted through contact with body secretions and excrement from infected animals. Healthy pigs coming into contact with contaminated vehicles, pens, feed, or clothing may contract the disease. Birds, flies, and humans can physically carry the virus from infected to healthy swine.

Swine owners can inadvertently cause infection through feeding their herds untreated food wastes containing infected pork scraps.

Sun Star offers some tips on how swine owners can protect their animals:

Check animals at least twice a week for unusual signs or behaviors.
Make sure food waste is properly heated to destroy pathogens.
Isolate newly purchased hogs for at least 21 days.
Isolate sick pigs until the cause of illness is determined.
Fence property to prevent wild pigs from coming in contact with domestic herds.
Practice standard bio-security measures, such as cleaning and disinfecting clothing, equipment, and vehicles entering and leaving the farm.

[mikey]

Monday, November 03, 2008Print This Page
DA Assures Consumers of Sufficient Pork Supply
PHILIPPINES - The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Larry Nacionales has assured local consumers that there would be enough supply of pork during the Christmas season.



Nacionales said that although the supply was somehow affected by Typhoon Frank, but then there is still enough for local consumers.

He also said that the region before Typhoon Frank is able to transport 12,000 hogs per month to Manila, Cebu, Dumaguete and Bacolod city.

The director said that the price of live animals is also still quite low at P80-82 per kilo as compared to the price in Metro Manila which is around P140 per kilo.

Balita reports that aside from the local source of hogs, Western Visayas is also getting supplies from other regions that the DA director is confident it will have sufficient supply this Christmas.

[mikey]

Retail prices of choice pork items like liempo, pigue and kasim have started to go down in Metro Manila markets from their week-ago rates of as high as P160-P170 per kilo following last Monday’s agreement by major hog industry players and Department of Agriculture (DA) officials to adopt a “reference price” band of P140 to P150 for these prime cuts.

Yesterday morning’s market inspection visits by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap showed that these choice pork cuts now sell for an average P140 to P145 a kilo, with the retail cost dropping to as low as P135 in some stalls in the Mega Q-Mart, Quezon City.

Aside from this Mega Q-Mart where the lowest retail price was monitored, Yap also instructed DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup and Bureau of Animal Industry Director Davinio Catbagan to monitor more markets to check on whether the agreement reached with industry players ranging from producers and meat processors to wholesalers and retailers on a “reference price” during the DA-hosted dialogue had started “to bear fruit.”

Yap expressed optimism that the price drop will boost consumer demand, thus benefiting not only the consumers in the form of cheaper pork items but the producers and traders as well in the form of higher sales and more profits.

He said that, “As agreed upon during the Oct. 6 dialogue at the DA central office, agriculture officials and the hog industry players would be meeting on a regular basis to review the ‘reference price’ accord and to take up other concerns that are meant to ensure the steady supply at reasonable prices of prime pork cuts, especially during the Christmas season.

At the end of the three-hour meeting at the DA last Monday, over 30 industry players in attendance agreed to pull down the cost of prime pork cuts ahead of yuletide by agreeing on a “reference price” ranging from P140 to P150 per kilo of choice cuts.

This reference price band was arrived at during the meeting after DA officials and the private-sector stakeholders had reached a consensus on the reasonable profit margins for growers, wholesalers and retailers.

Market data discussed during the dialogue showed that while the farmgate price ranges from P75 to P88 per kilo, the retail cost now average P140 a kilo for all cuts, but with the price of liempo and other prime cuts reaching as high as P160 to P170 in Metro Manila markets.

Among the industry players present during the DA dialogue were Rene Eleria, chairman of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI); Albert Lim, NFHFI president; Soledad Agbayani, president of the Philippine Association of Hog Raisers Inc. (PAHRI); Dan Gomez, chairman of the Meat Handler and Dealer Association of the Philippines (MHDAP); and Jess Cham, president of the Meat Importers and Trader Association (MITA).

Also present were Jerome Ong, vice president of the Philippine Association of Meat Processor Inc. (PAMPI); Emar Ozaeta, marketing manager of Gemsun Marketing; Rico Geron of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Corporation; and Rep. Nicanor Briones of  the partylist AGAP.

Ramon Galicia, general manager of the Maypajo Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Ruben Tristan Avillanosa, market supervisor of Commonwealth Market; Lorna Valdez, market master of Pritil Market, and other retailer-representatives from different markets in Metro Manila also attended the meeting.

Aside from Yap , the other DA officials who attended the dialogue were Salacup, Catbagan and Director Carlos Mendoza of the Livestock Development Council (LDC).

Prior to Monday’s dialogue, DA officials have already been meeting with hog industry leaders to discuss their concerns over certain issues saddling the livestock subsector, notably the big spread between the farmgate and retail prices of pork cuts.

DA officials have also denied reports of a government ban on meat imports to the Philippines .

Last week, Catbagan was instructed by Yap to directly establish linkages between hog producers and meat processors, to discuss, among other concerns about the domestic supply and pricing of pork items.

Salacup said that plans are being firmed up to link backyard hog growers with meat traders like PAMPI and MITA.

As for reports of a ban on meat imports, Catbagan made it clear last week that there was no such directive issued by the Secretary, adding that Yap had merely asked the DA’s regulatory agencies to review the issuance of import permits for agricultural products as part of the Department’s intensified efforts to curb smuggling.

“There is no ban,” Catbagan said. “The instruction of the Secretary is in view of the alleged rampant smuggling in the hog sector, he instructed the DA regulatory agencies such as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Plant Industry and BAI to review the issuance of import permits to determine if there are lapses.”

He added that, “There was no instruction to suspend the issuance of import permits or  authority for any particular agricultural  product.”

[mikey]

16 October 2008] The Philippine hog industry may find 2009 a bit bleaker as farm prices are expected to decrease by 4-5% due to improved supply and weak consumer spending. Dr Dante Palabrica, head of Universal Robina Corp's Piggery Business Unit, said that while farm prices went to as high as PHP 115 (USD 2.44)/kg in the early part of 2008, this has now dropped to PHP 85 (USD 1.80)/kg. Although prices could pick up again producers should not expect to attain the high prices it enjoyed in the first part of 2008. He said that while production will improve by about 18-20% in 2009,cost could go up to about PHP 90 (USD 1.91)/kg.

[mikey]

Monday, November 17, 2008Print This Page
DA Warns of Higher Pork Prices Despite Sufficiency
THE PHILIPPINES - Although a sufficient supply of pork is expected during the holiday season, projected high prices are to be anticipated due to high demand for pork, according to the Department of Agriculture.



According to Balita.org, the DA's regional executive director Larry Nacionales said the price increase is a normal trend that can be felt by consumers up to the first quarter of 2009.

Nacionales said the DA has actually completed its piglet restocking project last month where farmers were given piglets for growing to pre-empt any possible shortage.

Nacionales said live production of swine in the region is huge but processed meats are being supplied outside of the region.

Before typhoon Frank, he said that some 12,000 head of swine were shipped outside of Western Visayas every month.

“We have no problems when it comes to supplies of pork products. We have an inter-regional marketing channel where we can access these products in other regions in case of shortage, likewise we provide them with these commodities should they are in need of the same products,” he explained.

[mikey]

Philippine hog raisers urge probe on technical smuggling. Philippine hog raisers are calling on the government to probe the possible technical smuggling of meat products from Canada. They are asking the Department of Agriculture to look into the invoices of meat imports from Canada which may declare meat prices that are higher than the actual price registered in Canada. An industry official said there is an oversupply and if the declared price is higher than the actual price, this amounts to technical smuggling, and may lead to a further drop in the farm price of locally produced hogs, which is now hovering between PHP 70-80 (USD 1.50-1.72)/kg.

[mikey]

Price of pork could go up by 20% as the Christmas holiday nears, however processed and canned meat products should be stable. Trade and Industry Secretary Zenaida Maglaya said that should the price of pork go up, it would only go back to PHP 170-180 (USD 3.53-3.74)/kg, adding that there will be no supply problem so that any price increases would be caused by an increase in demand. She also noted that there is adequate supply of processed and canned meat so there should be no price increases, although prices of Christmas ham, a staple on Filipino tables for Christmas, may increase by less than 10%.

[mikey]

The Philippine hog industry may find 2009 a bit bleaker as farm prices are expected to decrease by 4-5% due to improved supply and weak consumer spending. Dr Dante Palabrica, head of Universal Robina Corp's Piggery Business Unit, said that while farm prices went to as high as PHP 115 (USD 2.44)/kg in the early part of 2008, this has now dropped to PHP 85 (USD 1.80)/kg. Although prices could pick up again producers should not expect to attain the high prices it enjoyed in the first part of 2008. He said that while production will improve by about 18-20% in 2009,cost could go up to about PHP 90 (USD 1.91)/kg.

[sanico]

Hi Mikey,
Do you have also news with regards to feeds cost and medicines for 2009. Right now, fuel prices
are lower but why feeds cost and medicines are still high in the market? Thanks.
Nick