By Mariela Angella Oladive
Poultry production in Western Visayas continued its upward trend, with 56,759,388 chickens processed in poultry dressing plants in 2024, a 1.1% increase from the previous year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The latest PSA report, released on Feb. 24, showed an increase of 630,682 birds from 2023’s total of 56.13 million, reflecting steady growth in the region’s poultry industry.
As of Jan. 1, 2025, the region had a total chicken inventory of 18.87 million birds, with Iloilo (37.5%) and Negros Occidental (31.6%) as the top contributors. Other provinces’ shares were:
Capiz – 13.0%
Aklan – 9.9%
Antique – 5.0%
Guimaras – 3.0%
The broiler chicken inventory, consisting of foreign breeds raised solely for meat, stood at 4.32 million birds, with Iloilo (42.3%) and Aklan (23.9%) leading production.
For layer chickens, foreign breeds raised primarily for egg production, the region recorded 1.85 million birds, with Negros Occidental contributing 44.1%, followed by Iloilo (24.1%) and Capiz (19.3%).
Meanwhile, native/improved chickens—a mix of native and foreign breeds such as Banaba, Bolinao, Kabir, Bantam, Paraoakan, and Heritage Chicken—accounted for 65% of the total inventory, or 12.26 million birds. These were concentrated in Iloilo (38.9%) and Negros Occidental (34.4%).
Western Visayas also had 434,875 gamefowl, domesticated birds used for breeding, sport, or recreation, with Negros Occidental holding the majority share at 69.4%.
The steady growth in poultry production highlights the industry’s crucial role in regional food security, economic stability, and livelihood support.
