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Weather wreaks havoc with grains…Int’l poultry body warns of chicken price rise
The International Poultry Council (IPC) has warned of higher retail prices for chicken as the weather continues to severely hamper the grain crop in the US and Europe.
Already, the effects are being felt in Guyana with the largest feed producer, the Guyana Stockfeeds Limited announcing hikes in prices for feeds like “Starter” and “Grower”.
Weather has wreaked havoc on corn and soya in the US and Europe leading to shortage that will affect chicken prices, the International Poultry Council has warned.
Chicken prices have been on the upswing in recent times with government issuing several three-month licences for almost one million pounds of plucked chicken to be imported.
Many small farmers have already pulled out because of the rising feed prices which have jumped by as much as $1,000 in recent months. Some farmers have also blamed poor quality baby chicks and high mortality rate as another factor that is forcing them out of what was once considered as a lucrative business.
According to IPC in a statement, it is concerned that the current world grain shortage caused by prolonged drought situation in the soybean and corn producing regions in the United States, coupled with excessive rains in Northern Europe, have a significant impact on poultry meat production worldwide.
“Global commercial poultry production depends on feeds produced from corn, soy and other grains, all of which are important inputs. Because of the U.S. drought, global corn and soybean supplies are insufficient.”
The Council also blamed financial speculation on worsening the situation, sending corn and soy prices to record levels, as well as driving up the price of alternative feed crops, such as wheat. Poultry production consumes 44 percent of the world’s supply of food animal feed.
According to IPC, poultry price increases are inevitable, and companies are forced to pass on to consumers to remain financially solvent.
“Further increases in the cost of grain will assuredly lead to additional cuts in production,” the body said.
In recent years, chicken become a very popular and probably daily part of the Guyanese diet.
“Accordingly, governments should take whatever measures are available to prevent any further increases in grain prices. Poultry meat has historically been the world’s cheapest large-scale source of animal protein, and has played a central role in providing consumers in poorer nations with access to protein. Continued high grain prices threaten food security, especially in low-income countries.”
Governmental policies that subsidize or encourage the production of renewable fuels from grains and cereals should be revised in order to avoid the risk of food shortages, IPC said.
The IPC is a non-governmental organization comprised of trade associations and other entities that represent more than 90 percent of the world’s commercial poultry meat production.
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