June 12, 2008
Philippine feed production to drop by 8 percent on slack demand
The Philippine animal feed production will fall by 7.7 percent in 2008 to 6 million tonnes due to a sluggish demand, the Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. said.
Last year, animal feed production in the country was 6.5 million tonnes, down from 7 million tonnes, former association vice president Ric Pinca, said.
Pinca explained that the faltering demand is caused mainly by rising cost of feed inputs, such as soymeal.
Soymeal had gone up to PHP25 per kilogramme from PHP16 last year while dried distillers grain soluble (DDGS) shot up to PHP18 a kilo from PHP9, Pinca said.
Philippine animal feeds are normally made up of 50 percent yellow corn or corn substitutes, 20 percent soymeal and other vitamins and minerals.
Furthermore, the association said that about 20 percent of backyard farmers were forced out of business last year due to livestock diseased.
In the first quarter, livestock production fell 3.36 percent, with a 4.19-percent drop in hog production.
The association has lobbied for the removal of tariffs on feed inputs, particularly soy, soymeal and DDGS.