KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is encouraging consumers to report suspected price gouging on eggs.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on March 20, Principal Director in the Agricultural Marketing Information and Incentives Branch (AMIIB), Kevin Condappa, told JIS News that egg prices may be elevated, particularly in western parishes, because of distribution challenges.

“In a case where we see prices being excessive, consumers need to ensure that they make it known, whether through social media or by calling the Ministry to identify where it is happening,” he said.

“Something needs to be done at the consumer level to alert the authorities that this is the situation that they are facing. From time to time, we will get information and pass it on to the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) so that they can investigate and see if it is indeed that prices are elevated far beyond what they should be,” Condappa added.

Persons can contact the Ministry at 876-927-1731 or the CAC at 876-619-4222.

Meanwhile, Condappa pointed out that there has been a steady increase in the supply of eggs as the Ministry puts measures in place to stabilise the local sector following significant losses due to recent hurricanes.

Over 50 per cent of layers were lost during the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October, dealing a severe blow to the sector, which was still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024.

Condappa noted that in the aftermath of Melissa, the Ministry initiated the importation of eggs to meet demand.

“This is something that was supported by the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association, where they, themselves, realised that they were unable to supply demand. In recent weeks we see where there has been a steady increase in egg supply,” he pointed out.

“Not to say that it is totally back to where it was prior to Melissa, or even Beryl, but there has been a steady increase and gains in terms of local production. The Ministry continues to monitor the situation to see exactly where we are week by week, month by month, in terms of the availability of eggs,” he said.

Condappa said that while egg farmers have indicated that they are “coming back up quickly,” the rebound of the egg industry will take some more time.

He noted that rebuilding the supply of layer hens is more complex and time-intensive than with broilers due to a much longer production cycle.

From the stage of eggs, broilers take a maximum of 10 weeks to be ready for slaughter, while for layers, chicks have to be hatched, grown out for four months and then take several more months before they come up to full production.

—    JIS