ANTIGUA | Cabinet and Egg Farmers agree to temporarily stay Local Egg Pricing for 45 days

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda – 26th September 2024…….The government of Antigua and Barbuda and Layer Farmers Association have agreed to work collaboratively to maintain the wholesale price of eggs at $13 per dozen for the next forty-five (45) days.

This decision was made in round robin meeting of the Cabinet on 25th September, during which members considered a report submitted by  Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy, Anthony Smith, who is also the chairman of the Cabinet-appointed working group tasked with reviewing the proposed wholesale price increase on locally produced eggs.

Cabinet was informed  by Minister Smith, that following a meeting, members of the working group, which included the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Agriculture, the Chief Veterinary Officer, and the Veterinary Officer on Poultry from the Ministry of Agriculture, along with representatives from the Layer Farmers Association, that an agreement was reached to work collaboratively to facilitate an in-depth review and analysis of the pricing of locally produced eggs.

As a result, Cabinet revisited its decision made on 18th September 2024, which stemmed from the Layer Farmers Association announcing an increase in the price of eggs per dozen to $18; and agreed as follows:

1.⁠ ⁠To reinstate the requirement for importers of eggs to pay all applicable duties and taxes; and

2.⁠ ⁠To reinstate the requirement for importers of eggs to obtain a licence from the Ministry of Trade.

Over the next forty-five (45) days, both the government and the Layer Farmers Association will collaborate on the development of a detailed plan to assist in reducing the cost of local egg production while improving the reliability and standards for the industry, which will be submitted for the consideration of Cabinet.

The government reaffirms its support and commitment to the establishment, sustainability and growth of indigenous businesses and to provide the framework necessary to enable all Antiguans and Barbudans to contribute to the economic development and prosperity of the state.

The new decision of the Cabinet takes effect from Friday 27th September 2024.

In a statement yesterday, Opposition leader Jamale Pringle called on the Gaston Browne Administration to deliver on its commitment to provide concessions that will help to offset rising production costs for the Antigua and Barbuda Layer Farmers Association – as well as immediate access to the egg box-making machine.

"These measures are essential for maintaining a stable egg supply without burdening consumers with significant price increases at a time like this, when the cost of food is already so high," the UPP Political Leader stated.

 Pringle said the UPP believed that the Agriculture Industry/Blue Economy deserved the same level of support and concessions as the Tourism Industry, since it envisioned a future where our farmers not only feed the Nation but also supply a substantial portion of the hospitality sector’s demands.

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