The Department of Agriculture has decided against setting a suggested retail price for chicken, noting that the market cost for it is "normalizing”, a government press release said.

"SRP's unnecessary price of chicken is already seeking its own level," DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said.

He also noted that the nationwide supply of chicken is sufficient to meet domestic demand so there's no reason for price of this produce to shoot up and for government to import the commodity at this time.

The DA has reported that nationwide frozen chicken supply as of June 28 is about 7,642 metric tons, approximating what this was the year earlier.

Alcala announced DA's decision amidst complaints chicken price surged to some P140 per kilogram following the latest fish kill episodes in Taal Lake and Pangasinan province.

"We traced such surge to the fish scare - perhaps some sellers wanted to make a killing and sold at higher prices," he said.

Alcala noted local poultry stakeholders are supporting the no-SRP decision for chicken, the press release said.

Alcala reported there are retailers selling chicken at the acceptable price range of P110 to P130 per kilogram so customers can patronize them, the press release added.

Customers must also report to either market administrators concerned, Bureau of Animal Industry or National Meat Inspection Service retailers who charge more than the acceptable price range for chicken, he said.*

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