Chicken producers report risk of bankruptcy
Representatives of the poultry sector in the Espaillat province warn of the imminent bankruptcy of hundreds of small and medium-sized chicken farmers in the Dominican Republic. The causes, they claim, are growing, unregulated overproduction and a lack of national planning .
This situation keeps farmgate prices depressed and threatens the sustainability of the industry , according to Alfranny Ferreras, an independent poultry producer from the municipality of Moca, who spoke to this newspaper.
- Currently, more than 22.4 million chicken units are produced per month, a figure that exceeds local demand, according to Ferreras.
However, he added that smaller breeders lack direct marketing channels or storage capacity, so they sell their live birds for between 33 and 35 pesos per pound, below the cost of production , while the official price is around 38 pesos.
Producers have reiterated their calls to the government, especially President Luis Abinader , to establish national planning for poultry production.
They point out that they are not seeking subsidies, but rather a regulatory framework that allows for stability in the sector and avoids the cyclical crises that force farms to close every three or four months.
"The current model benefits large producers with access to markets and refrigeration infrastructure, while smaller ones are being pushed to extinction," they indicated.
Adding to this situation is the problem of foreign labor , primarily of Haitian origin, according to Manuel Escaño, president of the Dominican Association of Egg Producers (Asohuevos).
"Almost all agricultural sectors face the same challenge: labor shortages . Many projects rely on foreign labor, primarily Haitian. What we're suggesting is that temporary permits be granted so that production isn't affected," Escaño said.
The leader acknowledged that the authorities are aware of the reality, and has even heard the Minister of Agriculture , Limbert Cruz, admit that the country relies heavily on foreign labor for agricultural and livestock work.
Regarding trade with Haiti, Escaño stated that the current ban on the passage of Dominican products across the land border, imposed by Haitian customs, has not affected national egg production, which remains stable at more than 300 million units per month .
However, he called for the regularization of the immigration status of foreign rural workers .
"We can't live in fear that at any moment Immigration will arrive and take all the Haitian workers from the farms . That puts the continuity of production at risk," he warned.
Both chicken and egg producers agree on the urgent need for the government to develop a national plan with the participation of experts and technicians, such as Eligio Jáquez, to preserve production and ensure the continued presence of small farmers in the national agri-food chain.
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