Chicken supply running low in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY—Cooks may be serving less “chicken tinola” and “inasal” in food stalls, restaurants and households nowadays in this city.

A scarcity of supply of commercially grown chickens, which experts have attributed to the prolonged dry spell, has pushed up prices of poultry products at public markets and grocery stores here, according to sellers and the city veterinary office.

“Deliveries have been limited owing to the fact that the poultry industry has also suffered from the dry spell early this year,” said Dr. Robert Malcontento, city veterinarian.

He said chicken producers in the cities of General Santos, Davao and Cagayan de Oro were still recovering from the effects of drought.

Prices per kilogram of dressed chicken have risen from P130 to P150-P160. Weekly demand for chicken is 15 tons, Malcontento said.

A vendor at the city’s old market, who named herself only as Zenaida, noted that there no more chickens delivered lately. She said regular customers were prioritized when stocks were available, “but on slightly higher prices.”

Chicken stalls inside grocery stores have been empty the past three days. Store workers said no supply was available.

Several roasted chicken stalls have suspended operations.

“We have very limited supply and they come from backyard poultry,” Malcontento said.

But this is temporary, he said. “Nothing to worry.”