February 1, 2022

Jamaica Agricultural Society opposes government proposal to remove import chicken duties

Lenworth Fulton, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), said JAS opposes the Jamaican government's announcement to temporary remove import and stamp duties from imported chicken leg quarters as it could badly affect the country economically and socially compared to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jamaica Observer reported.

Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, announced that the government was proposing to remove import duties on chicken to tackle rising poultry prices that have increased 17% over the last year.

Major Jamaican poultry producer Jamaica Broilers announced a 10% increase on its poultry products because of increased costs.

Fulton said bigger poultry firms could endure the government's proposal, but small-scale farmers producing chicken for sale at JMD 240 - 290 (~US$1.54 - 1.86; 100 JMD = US$0.64) would not be able to sustain their business and could abolish the market for these small farmers.

He said the farmers would be forced to retain their stock or sell their chicken at a loss at prices comparative to imports.

Jamaica's parliamentary opposition brought up the same concerns as the JAS.

Fulton said the government's announcement of a JMD 50 million (~US$320,000 subsidy to cover poultry farmers production costs is welcomed.

-      Jamaica Observer