Commerce Department
Monitoring of Critical Industries

 

Chicken

The poultry industry is of a strategic importance to food security in Guyana. The industry is an important source of income and employment especially to a number of low-income families in both rural and urban areas. It contributes to social stability and the general development of the agricultural sector in Guyana. (81% of all meats consumed). Over the last few years significant investment has been made to expand the industry and improve both production and competitiveness with the aim of attaining self-sufficiency in consumption requirements and expansion of the industry into overseas markets.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, in support of these expansion efforts, facilitated an increase in the tariff on Chicken Imports from 40% to 100%. This support has led to increased production in the industry and reductions in chicken imports. However, this adjustment has occasionally led to the creation of gluts and shortages within the market. Nevertheless, with increased monitoring the ministry is able to detect when these trends occur and ensure necessary compensatory measures are put in place. As a result, staff of the Commerce Department visits the supermarkets and municipal markets weekly to check on the price and availability of chicken.

 

Cement

Realizing the strategic importance of cement to Guyana at this stage of our development, Commerce Division monitors the price and availability of cement on the local market on a weekly basis and works with local wholesalers/distributors and foreign suppliers to ensure cement is available on the market.