August 2, 2023

Sri Lanka's poultry producers to lower chicken prices

Poultry producers in Sri Lanka agreed to reduce the price of one kilogramme of chicken produced in the country by Rs100 (US$0.32).

A discussion chaired by Sri Lanka's Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, was held at the Ministry of Agriculture on August 1, with the aim to protect the local poultry production industry and provide an opportunity for consumers to purchase chicken meat at a minimum price.

During the meeting, Amaraweera mentioned that the government has emphasised the need to protect the industry as the domestic poultry production has reached self-sufficiency in Sri Lanka.

Amaraweera added that if chicken meat is imported, the domestic industry, which is currently self-sufficient, may collapse.

Meanwhile, industry players have agreed to reduce the price of one kilogramme of chicken meat by Rs100 if the import tax on corn is reduced by Rs50 (US$0.16). Amaraweera also said that he agreed to submit a proposal to the president of Sri Lanka to reduce the import tax on corn to Rs25 (US$0.08).

Industry players have highlighted that the prices of chicken meat can be further reduced from next year.

 - Colombo Page