DA assures collab with layer industry amid spiking egg prices

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday assured continuous collaboration with the layer industry amid spiking egg prices in local markets.

This came after headline inflation hit 4.4 percent in July, with the faster food inflation at 6.7 percent driven by higher prices of meat products, corn, fruits, eggs, and dairy products, as well as ready-made foods, according to the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA).

In a phone interview, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has been coordinating with the industry players to identify possible areas of intervention within the value chain.

"Whether it's on the policy, whether on additional support for infra (infrastructure) or support for inputs. Nakikipag-ugnayan si Secretary sa kanila regularly at tutulong kami (the secretary is regularly coordinating with them, and we will help)," he said.

Inflation in eggs and other dairy products increased to 1.8 percent in July from 1.3 percent in June, based on the PSA report.

According to the DA Bantay Presyo, the price range of medium size eggs in Metro Manila is from P6.80 per piece to P8.50 on July 31; and from P5.50/pc to P8.50/pc last July 1.

The DA earlier said the opening of classes last July 29 may have contributed to the egg price hike.

Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) president Francis Uyehera, meanwhile, said the increasing prices of eggs may persist until December, considering the current supply and demand trend, as well as the consumers' buying capacity.

"Mataas po yung probability na mas mataas po this year ang maging presyo ng itlog (there's a higher probability of higher egg prices this year) compared to last year," he said in a phone interview, citing that the current farmgate prices of egg are already similar with the December 2023 level.

Uyehera said the sector is trying to meet the increasing demand trend following the sector's reaction to oversupply and dropping retail prices for eggs last year.

"Ang ating industry ay nagre-repopulate. Hinahabol po natin iyong pagtaas ng demand towards December. Pinilipit po nating habulin iyong kakulangan ng supply ng manok. Hopefully, mahabol po iyan (Our industry is repopulating. We are going after the increasing trend towards December. We are trying to meet our chicken supply deficit. Hopefully we can meet that) continuously towards the end of this year," he said.

He, however, said it takes five to six months for layers to fully mature from the day of pullet (DOP).

The PEBA chief also underscored the urgency for government interventions, including projects, to reduce the cost of production, mitigation efforts against diseases like avian influenza (AI) subtype H5N1, as well as promotions to increase per capita consumption.

"Ako po ay nanawagan sa (I'm calling out to) FDA (Food and Drug Administration), with coordination with BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry) kung paano po mapapabilis pa iyong availability ng ating bakuna sa ating mga stakeholders, sa ating (on how to speed up the availability of vaccines for our stakeholders, for our) farm producers," he said.

He said "significant" progress in AI vaccine approval shall help stabilize supply and achieve food security.

Meanwhile, the DA assured close coordination with the FDA alongside other actions to "sustain the efforts" of the poultry industry.

"While we are speeding up things, we are also trying to ensure all safety and efficacy protocols are being followed," de Mesa said.

As of August 2, four barangays in La Trinidad, Benguet; Candaba and Mexico in Pampanga; and San Antonio, Nueva Ecija logged active cases of AI, according to the BAI.

Affected species include ducks, quail, chicken, chicken layers, and free-range chicken. (PNA)