Already grappling with rising food prices, consumers are
being warned that the price of chicken meat could be further increased.
The bad news follows a record surge internationally in the price of corn used in making chicken feed.
Now Jamaica's two main suppliers of chicken are not only predicting further increases in the price of feed but are warning it will affect their operations.
Bad weather in the United States and growing worldwide demand for corn to feed animals and make bio-fuels have been blamed for the spiralling cost.
Now Jamaica Broilers and Caribbean Broilers, the island's main suppliers of chicken meat, are warning consumers to brace for possible increases.
Corporate Affairs Manager of Caribbean Broilers Dr. Keith Amiel bemoaned the continued failure of the United States to find an alternative source for ethanol and said it is bad news for local consumers.
"We have a problem ... we've been trying to deal with it and we've just been meeting in Trinidad and Guyana looking at alternative sources for corn. It represents about 60% of what goes into making animal feed for pigs and poultry hence the increased cost of corn will be reflected in the increased costs of these meats," said Dr. Amiel.
Chairman of Jamaica Broilers Robert Levy said his company is alarmed at the continuing escalation.
"It's one of the things we have to carefully watch. We're doing everything we can to try and contain our costs. We've been working with the Ministry to look at alternative feed materials," said Mr. Levy.
The bad news follows a record surge internationally in the price of corn used in making chicken feed.
Now Jamaica's two main suppliers of chicken are not only predicting further increases in the price of feed but are warning it will affect their operations.
Bad weather in the United States and growing worldwide demand for corn to feed animals and make bio-fuels have been blamed for the spiralling cost.
Now Jamaica Broilers and Caribbean Broilers, the island's main suppliers of chicken meat, are warning consumers to brace for possible increases.
Corporate Affairs Manager of Caribbean Broilers Dr. Keith Amiel bemoaned the continued failure of the United States to find an alternative source for ethanol and said it is bad news for local consumers.
"We have a problem ... we've been trying to deal with it and we've just been meeting in Trinidad and Guyana looking at alternative sources for corn. It represents about 60% of what goes into making animal feed for pigs and poultry hence the increased cost of corn will be reflected in the increased costs of these meats," said Dr. Amiel.
Chairman of Jamaica Broilers Robert Levy said his company is alarmed at the continuing escalation.
"It's one of the things we have to carefully watch. We're doing everything we can to try and contain our costs. We've been working with the Ministry to look at alternative feed materials," said Mr. Levy.