Pig farmers are trying not to raise the price of pork, despite facing an increase in feed prices, according to President of the Pig Farmers Association Henderson Williams.
He gave that assurance in an interview with Barbados TODAY, even as at least one restaurant has advised customers that effective May 14, the price of souse will go up to reflect the increase in pork prices.
Stressing that the association had not made any decision to drive up prices, Williams said: “There is a new price increase for feed and certainly that has impacted on pig farmers and pork production. But as it relates to an increase in pork prices immediately, that is something that we oftentimes give total consideration to. We have now a pricing model that we look at all of the inputs into production before we put any increases in place.”
“At the end of the day, we want to continue to be viable for all of our operations. We always look at it from all sides, including the impact that it will have on our customer base. We really don’t want to have a situation where there is dampening in demand and for our product,” he added.
Williams acknowledged that the price of grain has skyrocketed, which will have a significant impact on the price of feed, a major component in pork production.
“It’s a global phenomenon that is taking place and it will have an impact locally. We continue to monitor what is going on as we are well aware that this movement is nothing that will stop shortly. We anticipate that the fluctuation will continue for some time,” he said.
Just last week, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society James Paul warned that Barbadians may soon have to pay more for chicken due to a significant increase in feed prices internationally.
Pinnacle Feeds Limited, the largest feed producer on the island, indicated that there will be an eight per cent increase in livestock feed due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and unfavourable weather conditions in South America.
(AH)
