Status, Problems, and Prospects of Rabbit Meat Production and Marketing in San Pablo City, Laguna
Date
5-2022
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management
College
College of Economics and Management (CEM)
Adviser/Committee Chair
Juan Paulino S. Trespalacio, Junior
Committee Member
Rei Chino C. Pua, Renen Szilardo C. De Guzman, Mar B. Cruz
Restrictions
Restricted: Not available to the general public and to those bound by the confidentiality agreement. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser.
Abstract
Rabbits have been in the country as a source of meat since the end of WWII, but instead of thriving for their intended purpose, they have become more popular as pets. Rabbit farming has evolved into a backyard activity than can help augment one's income. In this study entitled "Status, Problems, and Prospects of Rabbit Meat Production and Marketing in San Pablo City, Laguna," the current state, challenges, and opportunities of the rabbit meat industry in San Pablo City, Laguna were discussed. Specifically, this study aimed to a) present the profile of the existing key players in the industry; b) examine local rabbit breeders' production and marketing practices; c) evaluate the industry's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and d) formulate recommendations and strategies to address the challenges and problems identified.
The convenience and snowball sampling procedures were employed to select the target respondents for this study. Rabbit breeders (20), input suppliers (5), institutional buyers (6), and industry associations (5) were among the 36 respondents that took part in this study. The rabbit breeder provided an analysis of management methods focused on production and marketing, as well as their business strategy and financials. The descriptive analysis was used to assess the data acquired from all industry players through face-to-face interviews. The data analysis tools used were PESTLE analysis, Poster's Five Forces analysis, Business Model Canvas, SWOT analysis and Cost and Return analysis.
This study looked into the political, economic, social, technological, environmental , and legal factors that could have an impact on the business. The lack of a VAT exemption and procedures and regulations for locational clearance has political implications. Economic variables include growing global demand for rabbit meat and as a result of the pandemic's economic impact; input prices continue to rise, notably feeds. Two social factors are the country's low acceptability of rabbit meat and the growing demand among those who want to start a rabbitry business. Technological factors are the emergence of a digital platform and the availability of a slaughtering facility to penetrate a larger market. Environmental factors include unpredictable weather patterns and the advent of rabbit diseases such as RHD. Finally, the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and the guidelines on Rabbit Importation into the Philippines are two legal implications that may have an impact on the industry. According to Porter's Five Forces analysis, there is a high level of threat of new entrants, strong supplier bargaining power, low buyer bargaining power, high threat of substitution, and high industry competition.
When it comes to the current marketing practices of local breeders, they use a direct selling method that involves both human and online interaction to offer live or dressed rabbit meat. Currently, the vast bulk of output is sold to individual buyers such as rabbit meat consumers and rabbit breeder, with only a few going to institutional buyers such as restaurants. When it comes to pricing, the breeder make the decision, taking into account both the cost of production and the value based on the breed of the rabbit. The majority of breeders promote their products on social media.
Most rabbit breeders follow a breeding cycle that includes breeding, weaning, and fattening in terms of productivity. It normally takes 70-75 days to complete this breeding cycle. To ensure the rabbit's quality, the bulk of rabbit breeder outsource their breeding stock to other rabbitries, mainly other cooperative members. The marketable rabbit will be slaughtered or sold whole, weighing at least 2 kilograms at three months of age. The slaughtered rabbit is subsequently packaged as whole dressed rabbit or further processed to create rabbit meat products such as lechon, sisig, siomai, nuggets, and tapa.The majority of them put money into the company out of their own pockets or from other jobs or enterprises. Only three rabbitries have additional employees. This implied that rabbit farming is low-effort and low-labor intensive.
Low productivity due to a lack of financial resource is one of the well-known production issues. Due to the lack of a slaughterhouse, the breeder was unable to cate to huge markets, and also faced the difficulty of not having a secure market or consistent order from institutional buyers. There is a lack of standard pricing when it comes to pricing, with some breeders falling considerably below the benchmark price, making it impossible for other breeders to set a justifiable or competitive price for their products because customers believe they can acquire it for a much lower price. Meanwhile, because breeders do not have consistent orders for their products, catering to malls and public markets, as well as Chinese restaurants, will benefit the sector. Furthermore, because the area has only processed rabbit fur and pelt, there is an opportunity for rabbit fur processing, as well as other by-products that are currently being lost throughout the process.
Based on the cost and return analysis, selling rabbits at 3 months of age is the most cost-effective option because the return is highest at the age, and selling them later would simply lead to reduced profits for the breeder. It was also discovered that having a 10 doe rabbitry would not benefit the breeders because negative profits are projected in the first year. so starting with 30 doe or more is recommended.
Recommendations were made for each major industry player. For the breeders, it is recommended to leverage on the internet and social media platforms to promote the product. Another recommendation is to continue the Rabbit Fest activities and make it an annual event that attracts more people than only rabbit breeders. In terms of pricing strategy, it should be priced lower to compete with other meats. Furthermore, because rabbit meat remains a niche market, breeders should price their processed and packaged rabbit meats at their discretion, or at least in accordance with industry standards. They should concentrate on processed meats like tapa and lechon because their prices are more reasonable and competitive than raw rabbit meat. Existing rabbitries should also raise their production by at least 30 does to remain profitable. They should keep track of their breeding business as well as their financial data. Large scale breeders can also help to encourage more breeders by offering in-kind loans to small scale breeders and new entrants.
The existing cooperative and its links with cooperatives in other towns and provinces, as well as the creation of strong commercial relationships with institutional purchasers interested in supporting local produce. should be strengthened. It is suggested that seminars and training sessions on new production and processing technologies be held, as well as the construction of Rabbit Breeder Multiplier Farm and collaboration with other cooperatives and municipal governments on a broader public event promoting rabbit meat.
Language
English
LC Subject
Rabbit meat industry, Production management--Quality control, Marketing--Management
Location
UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)
Call Number
LG 993 2022 M17 P55
Recommended Citation
Pili, Joseph Renz B., "Status, Problems, and Prospects of Rabbit Meat Production and Marketing in San Pablo City, Laguna" (2022). Undergraduate Theses. 11855.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/etd-undergrad/11855
Document Type
Thesis
