Jamaica's Poultry Industry Faces Challenges Amidst Broiler Chicken Shortage

In October 2024, Jamaica faced a significant shortage of broiler chickens, leading to increased prices and supply challenges for consumers and businesses. This situation was primarily due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which severely affected small poultry farmers responsible for about 30% of the country's production. The hurricane resulted in the loss of approximately 300,000 birds, causing a substantial reduction in supply.

In response to the shortage, major poultry producers took steps to address the issue. Jamaica Broilers Group Limited, producers of Best Dressed Chicken, announced plans to increase production levels through the Christmas season to meet consumer demand. President and CEO Christopher Levy assured that production had already ramped up and would continue to do so, aiming to balance supply with customer demand within two to three weeks.

Similarly, Cheapa Chicken, known for providing quality, fast, and affordable poultry products, committed to increasing their production to help mitigate the shortage. By scaling up operations, Cheapa Chicken aimed to ensure that consumers continued to have access to affordable chicken options during this period.

Despite these efforts, challenges persisted, particularly concerning the availability of imported chicken parts. Levy noted that prices for these imported parts had risen in overseas markets, compounded by shipping difficulties, and anticipated that these challenges would continue in the short term.

The situation prompted calls for government intervention. Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture, Dr. Dayton Campbell, urged the government to provide immediate support to poultry farmers, especially egg producers who had not yet benefited from allocated recovery funds. He emphasized the need for direct assistance to stabilize chicken production and ensure consumers could access affordable, locally produced chicken and eggs.

As of January 2025, the poultry industry in Jamaica has been working to recover from the disruptions caused by Hurricane Beryl. While production levels have improved, the industry continues to address challenges to fully restore supply and stabilize prices for consumers.