He gave the assurance in an invited comment, to the Guyana Chronicle, following a meeting with Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.

Mr. Persaud met with poultry producers, feed manufacturers and other stakeholders to hear their concerns and offer possible solutions.

Fernandes pointed out that several producers have a decent quantity of back-up chicks which will serve well during the festive season.

He noted, however, that the current weather pattern is sending out heat waves that can negatively affect the growth of the birds.

Minister Persaud, addressing GPPA members at his Regent and Vlissengen Roads Ministry, said the prices for chicken locally has been constant for some time now at between $320 and $340 per pound.

He said, based on the Ministry’s analysis, the cost of production ranges from $150 to $180 per pound.

According to Persaud, he has been examining these numbers over the past two weeks and made comparisons on the local and international perspective and, from a consumer standpoint, there is some level of unease.

He also said the Government is not oblivious to the various production cost factors as well as the need for the poultry industry, which has come a far way, to be competitive and viable but is looking at ways for consumers to pay less.

Persaud said, this year, there has been no major drop or increase in poultry prices as compared to different periods last year.

Monopoly
On the question of feed, he reported that the price for starters ranges from $4,600 to $5,000 per bag and Guyana Stockfeeds Limited has a virtual monopoly on the trade, supplying 80 per cent of the requirement.

Bounty Farm accounts for about five or seven per cent and importers supply the remainder.

Persaud said the prices for soya bean meal and corn have dropped and, based on forecasts, there should be increased corn and soya bean production and that development can cause a price reduction in cost for the industry inputs.

He disclosed that the Government is contemplating working with a company where milling capacity is low to get it up and running again, in the quest to increase supplies and competition on the local market.

“We want to encourage local production, our emphasis is to produce the feed locally rather than importing the feed,” Persaud said.

Guyana Consumers Association (GCA), in a release last week Monday, reported complaints about the comparatively high prices for meat and byproducts, due to the cost for stockfeed.

GCA strongly suggested that Guyana Stockfeeds Limited and Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce immediately review the question of making meat products cheaper.

Persaud said Guyana Stockfeeds Limited recently announced a price reduction but he is unaware how much that would have addressed the concerns of the poultry sector.

GPPA President, Mr. Patrick De Groot recalled that, last year around October/November, chicken was sold about the cost of production price and prices throughout this year, including currently, represent a recovery from the 2008 situation.

He anticipates that, with the expected hike in corn and soya bean production, there should be a drop in the current charges for chicken.