Investigative Report: Government Imported Chicken to Cut Prices. So Why Is It Selling for $360 Per Pound?

By Village Voice News

The Government of Guyana says its decision to facilitate the importation of approximately 330,000 pounds of chicken every week is intended to increase supply and protect consumers from escalating prices. Yet imported Brazilian chicken is now being sold for approximately G$360 per pound, raising an obvious question: how does chicken purchased by the container from one of the world’s largest poultry-exporting countries reach Guyanese consumers at that price?

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the temporary importation was necessary because domestic production was failing to meet demand. He was explicit about the objective of the intervention, saying, “I don’t want the price to escalate.” Approximately 330,000 pounds are expected to be imported weekly, with the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) facilitating the importation and distribution arrangements.