Fijian poultry suppliers to boost local production, lessen imports

Two poultry companies in Fiji, Crest Chicken and Rooster Chicken, invest on million dollars for the reduction of imported poultry supplies and boost local production for domestic consumption.

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum revealed that Crest Chicken has agreed to invest US$3 million whereas Rooster Poultry has agreed to invest US$1 million by June next year for import substitution.

"Crest will also, by June next year contract out to 24 new small holders of chicken farming and Rooster will create six new small farm holders," Khaiyum said.

It was established that the two companies will develop various village poultry projects where villagers will be able to participate in the growth of chicken farming.

"Fiji, at the moment still imports chicken and the idea is that with this new investment, there will be import substitution which means that ultimately with the new village projects and new investments, Fiji could become self-sufficient in chicken," Sayed-Khaiyum said.

He said the investment will also provide new jobs and also create livelihood for those people who may not be directly engaged in any small farming activity at the moment.

He said the current production rate in the country for Crest was about 200,000-210,000 chickens hatching per week whereas Rooster Poultry would be around 100,000; overall consumption rate would be around 14,000 per tonne per year.

"The poultry industry in Fiji is about US$70 million so it is a very important agricultural part of the economy and if we can help out with the export market, it will further help in the balance of trade," he said.

Government announced people will expect 5% increase in local chicken prices come May 17 followed by 2% increase every three months for the next nine months.