Increased purchases of meat, poultry, fish ahead of Christmas

By Sheria Brathwaite

Barbadians flocked to meat shops and supermarkets Thursday to ensure chicken, turkey, pork and fish will feature on their Christmas menu.

As Barbados TODAY visited several markets and outlets, retailers noted that sales had started to pick up while others were gearing up for the last-minute rush over the weekend.

At the Cheapside Public Market in The City, butchers reported rising demand for beef and pork, noting a return to pre-COVID-19 pandemic sales levels.

“This is the first time sales have picked up in a good while since the COVID-19 pandemic and sales have returned by as much as 75 per cent,” said Rashid Brooks of Yearwood’s Meat Shop. “Since the week before last week, people started coming in and this weekend and next week will be really hectic because there are still Old Year’s Night festivities. People are mostly coming for pork, beef, lamb and cow face to make pepperpot, but it’s mainly pork. People want big pieces, chops or ribs.”

Since the price of feed increased, prices also went up, he noted. Pork had risen from $7.50 per pound to between $9.50 to $10 per pound. But Brooks noted that the rising prices did not seem to deter seasonal shoppers.

Kadeem Layne of DL Prestige Farm and Meats Ltd. said sales were “relatively okay” as he was getting a lot of pre-orders. He expected the tradition to hold for purchases to intensify just before Christmas.

“So far, things haven’t been too bad but we expect for them to pick up Friday and Saturday,” he said. “Last week we found that a lot of people came out to beat the rush but the next two days will be super busy so we are preparing for that.”

Over at Western Wholesale in Lower Estate, St George, group senior manager Kobie Broomes said Barbadians were coming in droves to take advantage of the special ham deals there.

He said: “We put out an ad to say we had the cheapest hams on the island and the response was overwhelming. They have been selling quickly, so we had to restock the fridge and send for another order to get some more. Two years ago, we started a ham bundle and it really picked up steam last year.

“We have been pairing hams with wines, brandy and whisky, so people have an option. What we have done is keep the prices down because we know things are tight, so even if you have $100 you can get a ham with an alcoholic beverage pairing.”

Chief executive officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, also reported that sales were going well.

“They are expected to be what they are expected to be around this time of year and there is never enough. Bajans love pork for Christmas time and farmers appreciate the patronage from them,” he told Barbados TODAY.

But he said pork production levels were slightly down when compared to what was delivered at the abattoir last year when pigs weighing more than a total 2 000 kilogrammes were slaughtered.

Over at the Berinda Cox Fish Market in Oistins, fish vendors said sales had started slowly but they expected a rush this weekend.

Cornelius Carrington said: “It started off slow but things started to pick up a little bit. Right now, we are hardly getting flying fish, only a little coming and they are selling despite the price. Dolphin, tuna and marlin are selling too. Last year was a better season but I feel things are the way they are because of the hard economic times. However, we are hoping that at the turn of the year, we will get more flying fish and amber fish and things will be better.”

Flying fish was being sold at $40 per pack of ten boned fish. Marlin was being sold at $11 per pound, dolphin at $13 per pound and tuna at $12 per pound.

Fish vendor Sonia Greene-Blackman said sales were “not too bad” and she appreciated the business she was getting from those who supported her, adding that dolphin, red snapper, turpit, marlin and swordfish were her best sellers.

President of the Barbados Egg and Poultry Producers’ (BEPPA) Stephen Layne said that sales were “relatively okay” and he did not get any adverse reports. He said consumers were buying whole chicken as well as quarters.

In a previous interview, Michael Gill, farm manager of Golden Ridge Farm, which specialises in turkey production, said the birds were in high demand and the farm was almost full with orders.

He said customers were requesting turkeys as big as 18 or 20 pounds, noting that turkey was a must-have during the Christmas season.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb