The government is considering the temporary suspension of import and additional stamp duties levied on leg quarters.

This was revealed by Agriculture Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. who was responding to the upcoming 10 percent increase in chicken prices, announced by Jamaica Broilers.

Mr Charles Jr. explains that challenges including increased costs for transportation, grains and feed have given rise to unprecedented increases in prices locally for animal protein, especially poultry products.

The agriculture minister says the price of locally produced chicken meat has increased by approximately 17 per cent over the last 12 months, moving from an average of $530 per kilogramme to just under $620 per kilogramme .

He adds that the situation is further compounded by the decrease in the importation of chicken back, noting that this shortage of supplies has resulted in the price for chicken back now competing with the whole chicken.

Mr Charles Jr. says the ministry has taken this situation seriously and has been in dialogue with the relevant stakeholders in the poultry industry with a view to implement strategies to reduce the level of increase that is passed on to consumers.

He states that if not addressed, there could be further increases for poultry products.

As a result, he says the ministry is exploring several practical solutions within the short to medium term to mitigate further increases ..

Mr Charles Jr says the ministry will be pushing consumption of other types of protein.