Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) scaled down its operations in Haiti, following the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and the declaration of martial law in the country.
Ian Parsard, vice president of finance for JBG, told reporters that the company’s hatchery operations in Haiti are continuing, but on a scaled-down basis. According to the Jamaica Observer, Parsard said a small crew remains on the job, mainly to care for the live birds within the operation.
“JBG’s main concern at this time is the safety of its staff and the people of Haiti, so we have scaled down operations, but we are emphasizing that staff ensure their safety given the declaration of martial law in the country," Parsard said.
Moïse was assassinated on July 7 when unidentified gunmen attacked his residence. His wife, Martine Moïse, was injured in the attack. She was taken to Miami, Florida, where she is recovering in a hospital, according to a report from Fox News.
At least 17 people have been arrested on suspicion of charges related to the assassination.
Jamaica Broilers Group, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Companies Database, has operations in Jamaica, Haiti and the United States. Its Caribbean distribution is handled from multiple Jamaican and Haitian facilities, and international exports originate from two breeding facilities in the U.S. Haitian eggs are marketed under the HB Ouefs brand, and chicken is marketed under Le Chic Poulet.
The company established its presence in the United States in 2015 with hatchery assets, and during the following year, it acquired a feed mill in Georgia from Crystal Farms Mills. It furthered its presence in the U.S. in 2019 with the acquisition of the Gentry’s Poultry Co. plant in Ward, South Carolina. The company does business as The Best Dressed Chicken in the United States, and ranks as the 29th largest poultry producer in the U.S. It is the third largest broiler producer in the Caribbean.
