THE Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) of Negros Occidental has noted a downward trend in the prices of meat and poultry products in the province.

There was a decrease in prices as of the middle of this month compared to that of last month.

PVO reported a drop of P0.19 per kilogram of beef, P0.24 in pork, P1.12 in chevon (goat meat), and P8.11 in native chicken.

Prices of eggs also decreased varying on sizes: P0.07 for small, P0.03 for medium, and P0.06 for salted eggs.

As of August 13, prices per kilogram of carabeef is P254.10; beef – P257.81; pork – P218.26; chevon – P304.63; dressed chicken broiler – P161.90; and native – P248.06.

For eggs, small - P5.6; medium - P6.28, large - P7.08; extra-large - P7.67; and salted egg - P11.87 per piece.

Prvincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said the downward trend in prices of various commodity is attributed to the lean months that weaken the buying capacity of the consumers compared to other months.

Decena said lean months is influenced by several factors such as off-season of sugarcane farm operation and palay production.

“This situation limits the potential source of income in the hinterlands consequently resulting in weak buying capacity of the general peasant populace,” he added.

PVO explained that low demand results in increase of available supply which, then, eventually leads to lower prices.

However, this trend is expected to change in the coming months as the milling season is set to resume.

The holiday season is also fast approaching, it added.