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Poultry farmers defend increase in the cost of eggs

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PRESS RELEASE FROM Antigua and Barbuda POULTRY FARMERS ASSOCIATION

Several months ago, the Antigua & Barbuda Poultry Farmers Association commenced dialogue with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs to review the cost of producing eggs and broiler meat in Antigua & Barbuda.

The executive of the ABPFA was charged with the responsibility of looking at the current market wholesale price of eggs in the country and recommending to its members and
stakeholders in the industry what would be a reasonable wholesale price for eggs and broiler meat.

As is customary over the years, we opened dialogue with the officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs.

Not that the government or the Ministry was responsible for the setting of prices at which farmers would sell eggs for, but out of consideration for the long-standing relationship
between the two (2) bodies.

The executive found it necessary to continue in lockstep with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs to ensure that both parties had the same information and understanding as always.

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Discussions commenced in earnest with the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Colin O’Keiffe; Director of Agriculture, Mr. Gregory Bailey; Chief Veterinary Office, Dr. Tubal Edwards; Ms. Cheryl Edwards, Consultant on Poultry matters within the Veterinary & Livestock Division within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs and other Officials and Technicians within the aforementioned Ministry.

The ABPFA made representation for Poultry Farmers within Antigua & Barbuda regarding the situation on the ground facing farmers which includes but is not limited to the following: –

Cost of Feed supplies which has seen dramatic increases of more than 100% over the past
10 years and more.

Since switching from Styrofoam Egg Boxes to the biodegradable egg boxes more than 125% increase in the cost.

High costs being experienced for the cost of electricity required during production and
storage of eggs.

High costs being experienced for the cost of water supplies required in any agricultural
production.

Increased costs over the years in labour costs

A dramatic increase in the costs of construction and building supplies to construct poultry
houses and other facilities on farms and for maintenance.

Increased costs over the years for other inputs used in poultry production such as feeds,
water dispensers used inside of pens and other equipment.

With changes to climate conditions being experienced this has caused farmers significantly
to make changes to adapt facilities to reduce losses in livestock. Farmers have not been
able to have a clear path to access assistance from the Department of the Environment to
be able to upgrade and adapt their farms.

Difficulties being faced by farmers to access hassle free, affordable financing for their
operations via banks, credit unions or other financial institutions. Farming in Antigua &
Barbuda is seen as very high risks and farmers are not looked at favourably way by financial institutions.

The inability to access long term leases for agricultural lands which farmers currently
occupy, and new farmers seek to occupy and ply their trade.

These are just some of the many challenges facing Poultry Farmers throughout the length and breadth of Antigua & Barbuda. The Antigua & Barbuda Poultry Farmers Association made this representation at a meeting to the Minister of Agriculture, Samantha Marshall; Permanent Secretary, Mr. Colin O’Keiffe; Director of Agriculture, Mr. Gregory Bailey; Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Tubal Edwards, and other officials. We also presented a cost of production to the same.

It was agreed at that meeting that the ABPFA will compile additional information and resubmit to the Ministry of Agriculture for review. This was done and a Team from the Veterinary & Livestock Division headed by Dr. Nneka Hull James met with the executive of the ABPFA for consideration. Dr. Nneka Hull James and her team swiftly reviewed the document and favourably responded to the need for an increase by the poultry farmers.

Further to this, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs swiftly assembled a broad team with persons from the Agriculture Ministry, Ministry of Finance, Statistics Division, Ministry of Trade, Prices and Consumer Affairs, Social Transformation, and other departments, along with the executive of the Antigua & Barbuda Poultry Farmers Association.

Together we explored the following and more: –

  • The economic impact to the consumer
  • The social implications on the less fortunate and the elderly
  • Ways in which farmers could be protected from the possibilities of imports
  • Sensitizing the public on the increase and the reason for it

However, it was agreed that based on trends around the world with the rising cost in grain and other inputs for feed that farmers did deserve an increase after 10 years of holding at the current prices.

It was agreed that we would continue to work on the other areas to improve production
efficiency and costs.

The proposed cost of eggs was at $11.00 EC per dozen WHOLESALE, however, at a nominal
profitability the ABPFA determined and agreed to institute a price of $10.00 EC per dozen for a period of the next 90 days, during which time a continuous review of any further changes in production cost will be carried out by all parties. This will help to determine if any further adjustments are required from the EC$10.00 WHOLESALE price. Please be reminded that this price is the WHOLESALE price ONLY.

This means that as of September 1, 2021 any business or individual purchasing a full case or 30 dozen or more at any one time will pay EC $10.00/ dozen or EC $300.00 per case. A costing of Broiler Meat Production is ongoing and the wholesale price per Ib will be
released shortly.

We implore of the resellers to the consumer to have the same care and consideration adopted by the ABPFA and its network of Poultry Farmers when determining a price to the consumers.

We continue to work on behalf of ALL Poultry Farmers in Antigua & Barbuda for the betterment of the sector. Antigua & Barbuda has been self-sufficient in egg production for several years. We are thankful for/to our partners in the industry and to you the consumers for your continued support over the years.

Our Poultry Farmers will continue to strive to provide the best quality of product to
the marketplace on a continual basis.

The Antigua & Barbuda Poultry Farmers Association would like to thank the Minister of Agriculture, Permanent Secretary, other Officials within the Ministry and all of the other stakeholder groups, departments within the government and agencies who worked with us feverishly as we addressed the concerns of all involved. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs to address all of the other concerns of the farming community and industry.

Always remember, TOGETHER WE CAN!

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One response to “Poultry farmers defend increase in the cost of eggs”

  1. It’s good to know that we are eating local, and not imported, eggs and, maybe, some broiler meat.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]