New poultry farm to be set up in Antigua and Barbuda

The Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) and Ciboney Poultry Company (CPC) are planning to set up a $75m poultry farm in the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

The poultry farm will primarily cater to the export market, and is expected to create 800 jobs once fully operational.

It will feature three breeder ranches; two pullet ranches; a feed mill; a processing plant; a hatchery; 40 grow-out ranches; a rendering facility; a maintenance facility; and a medical care facility.

The CPC has requested about 25 acres of land in an industrial waterfront area for the construction of the feed mill, in order to achieve the large-scale importation of grain.

The Antigua and Barbuda government is planning to establish a new regulation, under which only CPC will be allowed to import live birds or bird eggs for the purpose of hatching.

In line with the regulation, local producers will be asked to cease importation once the project reaches its construction stage.

The move is part of the government’s effort to ensure bio-safety, protect the integrity of the product, and meet international standards.

ABIA chairman McChesney Emanuel said that the Ministry of Agriculture will establish the policy relating to bio-safety, which will also deal with the importation of birds.

"CPC’s position is that eggs and birds will be made available to the producers, through CPC, and this will guarantee the local producers a stable, ready supply, at an affordable price and at established industry standards," Emanuel added.

Responding to concerns that the new farm will affect local poultry farmers, the ABIA noted that the new poultry farm will only restructure the existing poultry industry by setting a new standard and will provide enhanced opportunities to operators, distributors and producers.