The Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association has disputed the government’s claim that middlemen are responsible for the high prices of locally produced chicken, citing inadequate processing facilities as a major factor driving up costs.
The Association says the lack of processing plants limits consumers’ options and makes locally produced chicken less competitive against imported poultry. Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, recently blamed middlemen for the high cost of local chicken, arguing that intermediaries significantly increase prices between the farm and the final consumer.
The price of local chicken can rise from GH¢80 to around GH¢200 by the time it reaches consumers, making imported chicken more affordable. Poultry traders in Accra say inadequate supply is also contributing to the high cost of locally produced chicken.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association, Mohammed Ali, is calling on the government to establish more processing plants to reduce costs and improve the competitiveness of locally produced chicken. He said processing facilities would give consumers the flexibility to buy specific portions of chicken instead of having to purchase an entire bird.
Mr Ali also questioned the location of the ongoing poultry processing plant in Bechem, arguing that its distance from poultry farms in southern Ghana could increase transportation and processing costs. Robert Ayamdo, who has been in the poultry business since 2009, said increasing local production and promoting Ghanaian chicken could encourage more consumers to choose it over imports.
The Association says expanding local processing capacity is necessary to improve access to locally produced chicken, reduce costs and make the industry more competitive against imports. Some consumers continue to patronise locally produced chicken despite its higher price, with layers selling for GH¢170 and GH¢150, compared to imported chicken at GH¢100 and GH¢120.