CEBU CITY, Philippines – The shift to chicken and other poultry products as a result of the high prices for fish and other fishery goods has redounced to a strong demand for poultry products in Central Visayas last year, the National Economic and Development Authority in Region 7 said.

NEDA 7 data revealed that livestock production and poultry product in general increased by 3.4 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively in 2010.

In 2009, both sectors registered higher increases in production at four percent for the livestock sector and seven percent for the poultry sector.

Demand for livestock products grew especially during the first semester of the year because of election- related activities and this was sustained until the last quarter of the year when consumers opted to buy chicken and other poultry products due to the increase in prices for fish.

NEDA 7 added that the region's livestock producers also benefited from higher demand for beef and pork meat in Metro Manila and in other regions.

The NEDA 7 report likewise revealed that the higher demand for chicken meat from food chains and local consumers spurred production of chicken in 2010.

Duck production jumped by 4.3 percent since many backyard farms disposed and slaughtered stocks in the first semester of 2010 to avoid losses.