The cost of meat products throughout the country has risen instantly as a shortage of imported chicken takes its toll.
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As the demand increases for meat products such as mutton flaps – which were already expensive before – some retailers have not been afraid to increase their prices, taking advantage of consumer demand and desperation.
For the past couple of weeks, shoppers have been snapping up sausages, mutton flaps, lamb necks, chops and other meat products as a substitute for chicken.
Officials at some of the main wholesale companies in Apia told the Samoa Observer that there has been a shortage of imported chicken for two weeks.
An employee of the Ah Liki Wholesale who is not authorised to speak to the media confirmed that they had just received their supply of chicken imported from the United States.
“There were some issues with the shipment that brought the supplies,” said the employee.
“It is here now.”
The cost of a box of chicken at the wholesale is $61.00.
A phone call to the Chan Mow wholesale yesterday confirmed that the company is still waiting for their chicken supply.
“Sorry we don’t have any chicken,” said a woman who answered the phone. “You can check back tomorrow, we might have it then.”
It is $64.00 for a box of chicken at Chan Mow.
It was not possible to get an official comment from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour yesterday.
However, Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, highlighted the shortage during the Parliament session last week.
Fonotoe who is the Minister of M.C.I.L told Parliament that a dispute between workers and American companies has caused the shortage in Samoa.
“The cost of a chicken box that is $95 as claimed by another Member is true,” said Fonotoe.
He said there are two kinds of chicken.
“There is the cheap one that is around $65 (imported) from America.
“What is happening now is there are disagreements between the workers and the (chicken) company from America about their work related issues and it is affecting the supply of cheap chicken from America.”
According to Fonotoe some of the businesses have turned to New Zealand to import chicken that is much more expensive.
“It is not long to go until the differences from the company and its workers are solved then we can get cheap chicken again.”
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