Stakeholders to meet on Friday

Jun 30, 2010 News

Authorities are expected to meet Friday with suppliers and farmers on the current shortage.

Stakeholders are expected to meet with officials on Friday to determine what is causing a shortage of chicken and eggs on the local market.
The dwindling supply is obviously compounding the problem of cost.
Plucked chicken, as of yesterday, was averaging around $350 per pound retail while businesses said that they are purchasing live chicken at around $210 per pound. This is up from $300 and $180 respectively from a month ago.
Eggs which were sold four for $100 are now being sold three for $100 with a tray moving from $700 to between $850-$900 over the past month.
Yesterday, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, acknowledged that the matter is engaging his ministry’s attention. On Friday, a stakeholders’ group, including suppliers and farmers alike, are expected to meet at the Ministry with Persaud to discuss this and other critical issues pertaining to the industry.
According to David Fernandes, an official of Bounty farms, one of the largest suppliers of chicken to the local market, the problem is not so much in Guyana as there is a current shortage of eggs on the overseas market.
The official stressed that his company’s supplies are secured and their prices for chicken at the various outlets have not been increased.
While Bounty Farms has been able to secure its overseas supplier for hatchery eggs, not many other farms have been so lucky, Fernandes said. This is one of the main factors contributing to the shortage of chicken on the market. According to the businessman, Didco Trading, one of the largest suppliers of baby chicks, has managed to restart their import of eggs and only last week was able to hatch a large batch.
Fernandes believes this will significantly boost the current supplies in as little as six weeks.
Yesterday, a number of small retailers acknowledged that they have experiencing problems buying live chicken to pluck.

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