DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said he wants to find out why chicken prices are high even if the normal "barometers" indicate chicken prices should be normal.

"We understood a slight increase in chicken prices due to increased demand caused by a recent fish kill. But now, demand for fish is going back to normal and so is demand for chicken. So prices of chicken should have gone back to normal," Mr Alcala said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

But he cited reports reaching him indicating some vendors sell chicken at P135 to P140 per kilo instead of the normal P130 per kilo.

"The reason for a price hike should have been low supply or high prices of feeds, or high demand. But our three barometers show prices should be normal. The only conclusion we can reach is that some people are trying to exploit the situation. And the DA's obligation is to protect consumers," Mr Alacala said.

According to GMA News, he said he has scheduled the emergency meeting at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

He said he expects producers and vendors to explain the high prices of chicken.

If no satisfactory explanation can be given, he said he will be forced to allow the importation of chicken to bring down prices.

"I may be forced to allow the importation of chicken to boost supply and lessen the price of chicken in the market. I don't want to do this but I may have to, just to counter the overpricing," he said.

Mr Alcala also rejected the possibility that the damage caused by Tropical Storm Falcon (Meari) could have prompted an increase in chicken prices.

He said that of the P692 million damage to agriculture in 13 provinces, livestock suffered "only" P1 million.

Mr Alcala said today's meeting will also take up ways to ensure supply of meat for the holidays, at least up to January 2012.

He said he will call another meeting next week, this time with pork producers.

"Filipino growers can meet supply demands for chickens in 35 days, but hog growers need four to six months," Mr Alacala said.