Question

On Blackboard “Announcements” (September) there is a link to an article from the Jamaica Gleaner regarding the supply and demand of chicken in Jamaica. Using graphs and words, and based upon the article, what “other things equal” conditions have changed since the rise of the pandemic, and what are the effects on “pandemic” chicken market in Jamaica?

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20200908/two-weeks-chicken-shortage-breaks-coronavirus-picks-pockets-appetite

Answer 1

As far as poultry industry is concerned, consumers'perspective on the quality and safety of animal foods is very important. Disease control of animals is the key element for food safety. In order to prevent diseasse transmission and spread , continuous diagnosis and treatment is required for the birds.  

Global movement of poultry and poulty and poultry products affected because of the outbreak of Covid - 19. Lack of transportation facility, even by air, during the implementation of lockdown affected the poultry industry very badly.  

Future strategic palns are highly essential to decrease the contamination of chicken before it taking into the processing plant.  

Even though limted curfew hours were there, retail chilcken business could be conducted to the supermarkets and restaurants. But on the otherhand whole sale was unable to conduct due to the lockdown and transpotation issue. Fast food services affected very badly, becuase people were not allowed to come out of their houses, and it is very essential to keep social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid - 19 pandemic.  

Restaurants and catering services are the only business units that does not affect Covid - 19 pandemic and related issues.  

Hospitality industry is the major sector where Jamaica Broiler had suffered heavy loss.

Now a days people are very much concentrated on immunity and good health. Children and even grownups prefer to consume chicken as a part of their food. During the Covid - 19 pandemic, due to the lack of transportation facility, movement of most of the goods were very difficult. Fish also was not available. Hence it affected the appetite of the people to demand more poultry meat.  

The following safey measures should be adopted while running poultry units.

1. By decreasing the use of medicines and antibiotics, conumers' health safety can be ensured.

2. By controlling the hygeine of the processing steps, product can be ensured.

3. Birds should be kept and reared as per the government regulations.

4. Measured should be adopted to reduce environmental contamination.

5. Rural impact, bio-diversity, economic effects, etc, are to be considered.