Poultry producers say chicken supply returns to normal next week

Published by BBNTEAM at August 12, 2020

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Posted: Wednesday, August 12, 2020. 11:07 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: The Belize Poultry Association (BPA) says supply of poultry products should return to normal next week as it ramps up production to meet domestic demand.

Back in April with the COVID-19 pandemic at its height, the industry suffered severe overstock of processed chicken meat due to the abrupt fall in demand from the tourism industry. It actually had to deeply discount prices to consumers and give away product to frontline workers to clear the stock. Producers decided to reduce production for the months of April and May, then increase in June and July and that production is now near pre-COVID levels.

But they did not reckon with the severity of the tourism slump, a sharp rise in domestic consumer demand and the prolonged closure of the Northern Border which has impacted exports.

The Association says, “Poultry production usually spans a 9-week period from egg to processed chicken so balancing supply with demand is not a precise undertaking especially when unprecedented market disruption occurs.”

It estimates that the industry collectively is about six percent below total pre-COVID production.

The Association conveys its regrets for any inconvenience caused but assures that a continuous supply of wholesome, affordable poultry products will resume.

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