Reacting to the announcement of the 2010 budgetary provision, Goundar said it would benefit consumers and the poultry sector.

 

"While this is a good move, the cost of chicken feed should also be taken into consideration," he said. "Right now, we pay about FJD31 (US$15.52) for a 25kg bag of chicken feed. We deal with poultry eggs and not meat but even as suppliers of poultry eggs, the cost of feed should be considered."

 

Mr Goundar said they looked after about 11,000 chickens and produced about 500,000 eggs for major supermarkets in Suva and Nausori.

 

In his revised budget address, Ministry of Finance head Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the removal of the price controls would result in an increase in small farmer chicken holdings.

 

"The removal has meant that the poultry industry will invest approximately FJD7 million (US$3.5 million) within the next 12 months," he said.

 

"Export opportunities will be realised and the recipients of food vouchers will be able to purchase certain chicken products at discounted prices."

 

In May this year, the Ministry of Trade and the Prices and Incomes Board (PIB) confirmed that a 12% maximum mark-up remains in force for all retailers.

 

PIB deputy secretary Lusi Naimawi stressed the mark-up for retailers would continue to be 12% on all local chicken products, be they whole birds or chicken pieces.