Philippines

On September 28, 2006, typhoon Milenyo struck Manilla and other parts of Luzon of the Philippines. Agricultural damages were initially estimated at P515 million ($10.3 million U.S), but were later revised upward to P1.9 billion ($24 million U.S,). Losses to poultry grow-out houses were estimated at P250 million ($5 million U.S.). Repair of the houses are expected to take a few months. The damage is expected to affect supply during the next few months as demand significantly increases for the upcoming Christmas season.

In anticipation of the supply short fall, the Secretary of Agriculture of the Philippines announced the local industry would be allowed to import 3,000 metric tons of chicken meat to meet the demand for the months of December, 2006 and January, 2007. The specific guidelines and mechanism for importing the chicken has not yet been completed and finalized. Some expect the importation to be similar to the special importation in 2004 when 5,000 metric tons were authorized over and above the Minimum Access Volumes and were exempt from the special agricultural safeguards. The imports were subject to a tariff rate of only 40%.

The special importation of poultry meat has met resistance on several different fronts. Poultry groups from within the Philippines felt that local growers could meet the projected shortfall and the move would cause income losses for the local growers. Questions have also been raised about the ability of local poultry raisers and integrators to purchase and import the product give the short period to undertake the importation.

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ThePoultrySite News Desk