Poultry producers in Antigua are concerned that imports brought in by the Central Marketing Corporation are taking away potential business, but the corporation says farmers aren't meeting local demands, according to reports.
The meat being imported is used to supply the National School Meals Program. “If the market is saying we need wings or leg quarters, the local poultry market does not provide that in quantity," said Dalma Hill, general manager of the Central Marketing Corporation. "We have to import what we do not get from local suppliers. Some have a problem in terms of cutting up their stuff; we are not equipped here yet to do all the cutting which is required."
Antigua farmers, according to Hill, mostly provide half or whole chickens, and must improve their production and operating practices in order to keep up with demand.
