THE Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPA), on Monday, announced that there will be adequate supplies of chicken available locally for the Christmas season at reasonable prices.

The GPPA, in a statement, thanked the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Guyana Livestock Development Authority and the Ministries of Business and Agriculture for the support it has received during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the last few years, the production and supply of locally produced chicken was quite stable.
However, in March 2020, the association said the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic began to significantly affect the industry.
“There was a severe reduction in the consumption of poultry as the closure of restaurants, bars and fast food businesses reduced operating hours for convenience and a nightly curfew all became mandatory,” the GPPA noted, pointing out that this resulted in reduced income of consumers and subsequent reduced spending, causing farmers to lose money and the poultry industry having to make substantial cuts in production.

“With the marketplace settling into a new normal, the industry has made its own adjustments, including the increased importation of hatching eggs. This has already resulted in an increased supply of broiler meat,” the GPPA noted.