KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – The Ministry of Agriculture has said that it would put measures in place to ensure that the increased demand for eggs at Christmas does not result in “price gouging”.
Agriculture officials met last week with poultry producers and resellers along with consumer and trade affairs representatives to discuss the local production, demand, supply, and regulation of egg prices in December.
The Ministry said in a release that stakeholders agreed that local production in November and December would meet 85 to 90 per cent of the eggs required by local consumers.
The remaining 10 to 15 per cent — 500 cases of eggs –will be imported but measures have been put in place to prevent price gouging and unwarranted price increases due to artificial scarcity during the season.
The Ministry further said that the importation of eggs in November and December will be limited to regular importers and importation licenses will not be issued to speculators.
Eggs that are imported illegally will be confiscated and destroyed.
Demand for eggs here are especially high at Christmas because of its use in the large quantities of cakes and other food eaten as part of celebrations to mark the festival.