ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Sept 20, CMC – Less than a week after Prime Minister Gaston Browne called on the Antigua and Barbuda Layer Farmers Association (ABLFA) to reverse its decision to increase the price of eggs, his administration Friday announced that the egg market will be liberalised.
“In the absence of an agreement; our government will be forced to discontinue the protections and support for these uncooperative poultry farmers,” Prime Minister Browne said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
The association had earlier announced an increase in the cost of both white and brown eggs, saying that as of last Monday, the prices would move from EC$12.00 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) per dozen to EC$14.00, or EC$420.00 for each case, up from EC$360.00.
It says various factors, including heat stress and rising operational costs, have contributed to the decision to increase egg prices.
(Details in Business section)
CMC/2024