The president of the Association of Small and Medium Producers of Mocha and Licey Chickens (Cibao Central), Ambiorix Cabrera, favored the importation of chickens and eggs from Brazil and Belgium, indicating that it controls speculation, but estimates that if there is no subsidy for that sector, consumers cannot expect that they will buy those products at lower prices.
Cabrera indicated that unless the Government subsidizes the purchase, there is no way that these poultry products will be sold at lower prices than those currently sold.
“We producers with the increase in raw materials and all the supplies, the chicken costs around RD$41 a pound at the farm, but there are many speculators that they cannot control, because it is a job for the authorities”, he emphasized.
The poultry producer estimates that what the Government has to do is focus, throw “price control” into the streets and set a price for chicken, mainly.
Cabrera added that producers are importing fertile eggs to try to cover the current deficit in chicken production.
“I understand that this little problem will be solved in a month, now everything can be done without harming the productive sectors,” said Cabrera.
Currently, a pound of chicken is sold in Santiago at 90 and 100 pesos a pound. While consumers consider the rise in the price of chicken abusive, producers estimate that there is speculation and insist that measures be taken to stop the situation.