Chicken Supply Shortages Reported in Local Supermarkets, Industry Optimistic for Holiday Replenishment

Fresh chicken supplies have been running low in some supermarkets across the island, with industry stakeholders pointing to challenges in securing adequate volumes of birds.

However, one of the major suppliers is confident of an increase in supply heading into the holiday season.

Director of Carlton and AI Supermarket, Tomlinson Bynoe, confirmed the ongoing shortage.

“There has been a shortage, first in terms of access to the hatcheries, to birds, young birds, as I understand it,” he explained.

“From a farmer’s perspective, we haven’t been able to secure the same volumes of birds that we have been accustomed to getting. As we understand it, the position will be raised or sorted shortly, but, in the last few months there has been a shortage of birds.”

Empty shelves

The MIDWEEK NATION visited some supermarkets over the past couple of weeks, noticing empty freezer shelves where fresh chicken products are typically stored. Some only had a few packages remaining, while others were entirely out of stock. They included Massy Holetown, Massy Rendezvous, and Carlton and A1 (Black Rock and Emerald City).

The situation appears to have been ongoing for several months, according to supermarket employees, who mentioned customer complaints about the reduced availability.

Anthony Brancker, head of Massy’s Retail and Distribution Sector, acknowledged the strain on the supply chain.

“Speaking on behalf of Massy . . . we are seeing challenges. I can confirm that,” he said.

When asked whether these issues mirrored those affecting Carlton and AI, he responded: “It is the same challenges where suppliers cannot meet the demand. I can tell you that we have also been given the same assurances that it should be corrected.”

Managing director of Gale’s Hatcheries, Barry Gale, said that despite current shortages, there should be enough poultry for the Christmas season.

“I don’t have the numbers off the top of my head but I can tell you that as of three weeks ago when the industry was having a conversation with the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers in general, poultry farmers in particular, have placed 300 000 more broilers up to that point than they did last year. In the grand scheme of things, that is about a week and a half of production more than it was last year,” he said.

Gale said with the cyclical nature of the industry, fluctuations in demand often lead to temporary shortages or surpluses.

“When there’s a surplus of chicken on the market, small farmers respond by not growing anymore chicken. Then, when a short supply occurs because demand runs back up, people decide there is less chicken, so let’s go and grow more.”

He added: “There is an increase in the demand for dayold chicken leading into the Christmas season. Therefore, in my anticipation, there will be more than enough chicken for the Christmas period. Even though there’s a shortage right now, people are responding to the shortage by placing more baby chicks, but it takes 12 weeks.” (CLM)