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Jamaica self-sufficient for eggs
Jamaica now produces more than 400,000 eggs being
every day, enough to meet the demands of the local market, according to
president of the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association (JEFA), Mark Campbell.
To cope with the increased load, a new egg pasteurising plant, which is
being built at a cost of $35 million, is to be opened by the end of November.
The new plant will enable the
JEFA to meet the demands in the tourism sector for pasteurised
eggs. This, he said, will meet the necessary food safety requirement and reduce
food borne diseases that is required in the hotel sector.
He said JEFA members currently owned more than 500,000 layers.
But while production is at its highest level to date, local demand for eggs
is not comparatively high. Mr Campbell pointed out that Jamaicans consume less
than one egg per person each week, which is lower than other countries in the
Caribbean. In countries such as Japan, the US and the UK, an average of six or
seven eggs per person are consumed weekly.
To increase local consumption, JEFA will be launching a major marketing
programme, targeting schools, to promote the benefits of eggs.
Editor WorldPoultry
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