New Laguna poultry plant to boost PH chicken supply, create 400 jobs

Chicken output rose 5.8% year-on-year in Q1 2026.

A new chicken processing facility has opened in Laguna, the Department of Agriculture said, as the local poultry industry expands capacity to meet rising demand.

Art Fresh Chicken Corp.’s new dressing, processing, and warehousing facility in San Pablo can process more than 14 metric tons of chicken, or around 5,600 to 7,000 live birds, per cycle. In the industry, a full cycle—from raising of chicks to processing—typically lasts 30 to 45 days.

It is also expected to create around 400 jobs across the poultry supply chain, including opportunities for poultry growers, transport operators, and logistics providers.

The DA said the Laguna facility could help ease bottlenecks between farms, processors, and retailers, while improving food safety through integrated dressing, processing, and cold storage operations.

The expansion comes as chicken remains one of the country’s most affordable and widely consumed protein sources.

Chicken accounts for over 70% of the country’s total poultry output, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

During the first quarter of 2026, local chicken production reached 585,470 MT—up from 553,450 MT during the same period last year. This represents a 5.8% year-on-year increase.

The poultry sector also recorded ₱80.83 billion in production value during the period—a 7.1% increase from the same quarter in 2025. It accounted for 18.5% of the country’s total agricultural output value, behind crops (55.7%) but ahead of livestock (13.9%) and fisheries (12%).

Behind the industry’s growth is continued consumer demand. Chicken remains a popular choice among Filipino households because it is generally more available and affordable than other protein sources, while restaurants and other food service businesses also continue to drive consumption.

As companies continue investing in modern processing facilities, the poultry industry is expected to further strengthen logistics, cold storage, and processing capacity to keep chicken affordable and consistently available for Filipino consumers.

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