Barbadians Can Expect Lower Poultry Prices at Special Outlets as Government Addresses High Cost of Living

Barbadians can expect lower prices for poultry at a number of special outlets starting this week, as the Government continues to put measures in place to help Barbadians better cope with the high cost of living.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley made the announcement on Saturday at the 84th annual Barbados Labour Party (BLP) conference, while suggesting that some retailers were currently engaging in price gouging, based on a recent survey she undertook herself.

“I went around myself and some of you might have seen me in [a particular supermarket], one and two other supermarkets two Sundays ago… So I didn’t rely on no hearsay, I got the pictures in here, the pictures of all of the prices everything,” said Mottley, as she waved her cell phone.

“I know the ones that were trying to charge $19.90 a kilogram and I know the ones that were charging $11.99 a kilogram for chicken, whole chicken. I live in this country too and I eat chicken too, and I know how families use chicken to stretch,” she said.

The Prime Minister said while it was difficult for the private sector to maintain the social compact with Government, her administration thought it necessary to ensure that at least poultry remains affordable.

The compact, which first ran from July 2022 to January 31, was extended to July 31 this year, before coming to an end.

On Friday, Central Bank Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge warned that the cost of living will remain high for some time, especially given that Barbados imported most of its goods. He reported that the point-to-point inflation rate slowed to 4.3 per cent in July 2023, from 6.4 per cent one year prior.

Mottley said when it came to chicken, whose production was affected by adverse weather conditions in recent months, Barbadians can expect to source that item at selected outlets cheaper than what was being offered at some retailers.

She also announced that there would be a further reduction in poultry price come early next year, when the second feed manufacturer is opened for business.

Mottley insisted that as companies seek to maintain employment and make a profit, there must be a balance with families being able to eke out a living, as she welcomed the recent five per cent reduction in feed prices by Pinnacle Feeds spread over a two-month period.

This was after an eight per cent increase in feed prices in March this year.

Mottley said while she did not expect the feed prices to “come down the full amount because there may be other increases that [the feed manufacturers] are carrying, a five per cent reduction is not enough especially with the problems related to the quality”.