-despite issuance of import licences
THERE is still an inadequate supply of chicken on the local market, despite the assurances given by the Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPA) and measures taken by the Commerce Ministry to issue additional import licences to remedy the situation. Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad made this announcement during a media briefing in his South Road office last week, pointing out that there has been no change in the situation.
According to Prashad, though his ministry has always worked closely with the GPPA, it has failed to ensure an adequate supply of the commodity at this time, as promised.
“The Poultry Producers Association said that they would have adequate supply of chicken in September. You are the judge. So far we have not had that adequate supply,” he said.
To remedy this, he explained that his ministry will continue to issue importation licences to interested persons to alleviate the shortage.
As a result of this decision, the cost for chicken on the market has been “coming down” now, though it has not yet reached an acceptable level, he added.
He said: “The price has to come down further, I have to be convinced that there is an adequate supply of chicken. I will not allow consumers to suffer and while I am working closely with the Poultry Producers Association. Unfortunately there is a shortage and what was expected to have happened in September has not happened.”
Prashad gave his assurances that once chicken returns to the local market in abundance, and the price returns to normalcy, the importation of chicken would be stopped, as the ultimate aim is to encourage  local production.
“We want to encourage the local production of chicken, at the same time, it is the duty of the government to ensure that there is an adequate supply of chicken on the market at affordable price,” he stated.
To date, 14 licences have been issued to chicken producers here, and the Commerce Minister explained, that while those licences were granted, persons can obtain more than one.
During a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle earlier this month, Assistant Managing Director David Fernandez of John Fernandes Limited said the local supply of chicken would be normalized by the end of September, as the commodity was being sold between $330 and $450 per pound, in comparison to $300 and $320 previously.
“Things should be back to normal by then. As we had promised things still stands the same way. The Poultry Producers Association will be working towards this,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Minister Prashad confirmed that there is an adequate supply of garlic, onions, potatoes and split peas on the market, and at affordable prices.
He said: “ We are also monitoring with the importers of those products to ensure there is an adequate supply for Christmas…I am convinced, based on the information received, that there is enough eggs for Christmas at affordable prices. I hope I won’t have to resort to other measures, which I will if there is any shortfall.”
As to the reason for the deficiency, a statement issued by the Poultry Producers Association indicated that the shortfall was due to a deficit in the production of hatching eggs by one major importer.