THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is expecting shortages of pork and tilapia by the end of the year.
In a virtual briefing Thursday, DA Spokesman Noel O. Reyes said the best-case scenario for overall fish supply at the end of the year is 41,000 MT, equivalent to five days’ consumption.
Demand for fish such as tilapia and round scad (galunggong) is expected to outstrip supply by 12,036 metric tons (MT) and 51,765 MT, respectively.
Milkfish (bangus) is expected to end the year with a surplus of 57,167 MT. The sardine surplus is estimated at 37,591 MT, and that for mackerel at 11,664 MT.
Pork products will end the year with a 231,030 MT deficit, equivalent to 45 days’ consumption, while chicken is estimated to be in surplus by 464,236 MT, good for 103 days.
Garlic is expected to end the year at a deficit of 83,207 MT, or about 221 days’ worth, while onion will end at a deficit of 557 MT, or one day’s worth of consumption.
Mr. Reyes said vegetables are expected to be in surplus by 149,757 MT, equivalent to 19 days.
He added that the year-end rice supply will depend on the arrival of remaining rice imports. The best-case scenario for year-end inventory is 3.42 million MT, equivalent to a 97-day supply.
Mr. Reyes said the best-case scenario for corn inventory is 4.05 million MT, good for 236 days. However, supply may vary depending on the volume of corn imports and domestic production losses. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
