In a significant policy shift, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced the liberalization of the egg market in Antigua and Barbuda, just days after the Antigua and Barbuda Layer Farmers Association (ABLFA) decided to raise egg prices. The announcement aims to address rising costs while ensuring affordable access to this vital source of protein for the population.
The ABLFA recently declared an increase in the price of both white and brown eggs, raising the cost from EC$12.00 per dozen to EC$14.00, or EC$420.00 per case, up from EC$360.00. According to the association, factors such as heat stress and escalating operational costs prompted this decision.
In response, Prime Minister Browne stated that without a cooperative agreement with the poultry farmers, the government would need to withdraw protections and subsidies that have supported the industry. He warned that the price increase could lead to a retail price of EC$18-19 per dozen, pushing this essential food item out of reach for many citizens, especially the poor and vulnerable.
“The egg market will be opened, and the forty percent duties and taxes on imported eggs will be eliminated,” Browne declared. He emphasized that government subsidies were intended to lower consumer prices, not inflate profits for producers.
To regulate the industry, a Poultry Development Board will be established. This board will oversee pricing, ensure compliance with sanitary standards, and address the rising incidence of diseases such as salmonella. Farms failing to meet these standards may face closure to protect consumers.
Valerie Edwards, General Secretary of the ABLFA, contested claims of a prior agreement with the government to prevent price hikes, stating that discussions on the matter were ongoing. A recent Cabinet statement indicated that officials had invited ABLFA representatives to discuss the proposed increase and had pointed out that climatic conditions and feed costs in neighboring islands did not warrant the same price surge in Antigua and Barbuda.
Following intense discussions, the Cabinet has decided to commission a study by an accounting firm within the next 60 days to assess the actual costs incurred by farmers to produce a dozen eggs. This data is critical, as the representatives of the Poultry Association reportedly did not possess this information.
The newly formed Poultry Board will consist of five to seven members, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Poultry Association, an accountant, the Chief Veterinary Officer, and other stakeholders. This board will be responsible for determining fair prices for poultry products, rather than allowing producers to set prices unilaterally.
The Cabinet’s negotiations succeeded in averting an immediate price hike, despite farmers’ requests for a two-dollar increase due to heat and feed costs. Cabinet members questioned the necessity of this increase, citing stable conditions in neighboring islands, and reaffirmed their commitment to preventing the establishment of an “egg cartel” that could exploit consumers.
As the government moves forward with these changes, it aims to balance the interests of both consumers and producers while ensuring that access to affordable eggs remains a priority for all citizens in Antigua and Barbuda.
