PHL among highest-cost producers of pork, chicken in Asia, PIDS says

PORK and chicken production costs in the Philippines are among the highest in the region due to high feed costs, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said.

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In a report on the livestock, poultry and dairy (LPD) industries, the government think tank said hog farms in the Philippines consistently post higher costs than counterparts in China, Thailand and Vietnam.

Citing data from 2017 to 2020, PIDS said backyard hog farms have operating costs of P148.26 per kilo post-slaughter. Commercial farm costs are about P112.40 per kilo due to the benefits of scale.

China commercial farm costs are the equivalent of P106.97 per kilo, with Thailand at P97.53. Vietnam commercial farm costs are P120.44 per kilo.

Major pork exporters such as Spain and Denmark produce hogs at a cost equivalent to P86.50 per kilo, PIDS said.

A more recent estimate from the Department of Agriculture puts production costs for hogs at P165 to P180 per kilo.

According to PIDS, hog feed accounts for about 57% of operating expenses.