Industry Ministry Welcomes Chicken Meat Price Cut

Kingston, Jamaica: Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce has welcomed the reduction in the price of Best Dressed Chicken products announced last Wednesday by the Jamaica Broilers Group.

The price reduction of $12.50 per kilo off the list price of Grade-A whole bird and mixed parts chicken became effective on Thursday, August 18, 2022. “This is great news at this time for Jamaican consumers, who have been grappling with increased prices for food and consumables for all the months of this year,” the Minister said.

The sector has been plagued by the effects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has negatively affected the supply of grain and its by-products. This was a compounding of the already increasing prices caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, which disrupted world logistics and shipping arrangements.

“We understand the often severe constraints under which local manufacturers and distributors have been operating. However, we are pleased to note that some global market conditions and challenges are easing. This should allow the commercial sector to adjust where possible to reduce inflationary pressure on Jamaican consumers,” the Minister observed.

He encouraged the Jamaican business community to see where it can make price adjustments similar to the one now being made on chicken. “This is especially important as we enter the cash-demanding back-to-school period with its attendant increased demands on parents and households to find new money to spend on children’s education,” he said.

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), which is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, consistently monitors and publishes the price of various food and consumer items.

“I encourage all Jamaicans to contact the CAC or visit their website (cac.gov.jm) other online channels, including their mobile app, Consumer Affairs Commission, Jamaica, for information on how consumers’ hard-earned dollar can stretch farthest,” the Minister advised.