Thu | May 28, 2026

Jamaica's poultry sector thriving despite challenges – Green

Published:Thursday | January 16, 2025 | 9:42 AM
Matthew Lyn (second left), CEO, CB Group, shows off a replica of the CB Group’s air-chill processing plant to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (second right), Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green (left) and Chairwoman of CB Group, Lori-Ann
Ian Allen
Matthew Lyn (second left), CEO, CB Group, shows off a replica of the CB Group’s air-chill processing plant to Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (second right), Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green (left) and Chairwoman of CB Group, Lori-Ann Lyn, shortly after they cut the ribbon for the Official Opening at The Nest, Hill Run, St Catherine on Wednesday.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green has highlighted significant growth in Jamaica's poultry sector over the past decade, with an annual production increase of 22.4 per cent.

Speaking at the opening of CB Group’s $15-billion air-chill processing plant, The Nest, in Hill Run, St Catherine, on Wednesday.

Green noted the resilience of the industry.

"Despite losing over 300,000 birds to Hurricane Beryl, the broiler poultry sector will show a three per cent growth by the end of 2025," he asserted.

According to him, the sector continues to move on a growth trajectory as farmers expand production to meet local demand and to start focusing on regional demand.

"If there is one sector that we can talk about tenacity, that we can talk about resilience, it has to be our poultry farmers,” he continued.

Egg production has also surged, rising from 166 million eggs in 2019 to 255 million in 2023, a 54 per cent increase. Green noted less than a five per cent reduction in egg production in 2024 despite Hurricane Beryl.

- Ruddy Mathison

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