Chicken Shortage

The Industry and Commerce Ministry says the importation of chicken has never been restricted; however the commodity attracts 100 percent duty to protect the interest of local producers.
In response to the recent price hike on the local market and following consultation, Government granted initial approval for pending applications to import a limited amount of chicken, for a period of three months.
This is intended to combat the scarcity of the commodity. The importers were granted a fifty percent waiver on duty, instead of the sixty percent they had requested by way of application for permission to import eight million pounds, over the next six months.
The licenses will expire on September 12 to prevent hoarding of permits by persons who may be inclined to capitalize on future vagaries of the market.