Ghanaian buyers have backed the infiltration of Chinese investors in the poultry business, while lamenting over prices of natives in the mid of egg glut in the country.
Speaking to AgriWatchgh News, some Ghanaians expressed their concerns over “surged” prices of egg in the country. They believe that foreigners have the right to participate and run businesses in the poultry value chain.
“The Chinese have a right to participate in the poultry industry. If over time prices of eggs drop, it is better for the economy.”
“If Chinese come to Ghana, establish poultry farms, produce eggs locally, what is the problem? Which market are they selling in? Why are they not complaining? Why will our businesses not learn to compete?”
According to some buyers, Ghanaian poultry farm operators or businessmen prioritize excessive prices over normal prices that would ensure smooth business. They emphasized that, the Chinese poultry products come with cheaper prices giving them a better alternative to the locals.
“Ghanaian businessmen are some of the few who seek to make astronomical profits in short time.”
“I am happy there’s an egg glut, I am happy government is targeting that sector, hopefully they can see through the meat processing factory. There should be meat glut too. Our people just know how to increase prices.
“egg too is expensive in Ghana what country is this and they want to complain”
A section of the citizenry believes that local businesses are not building strong foundation to compete over time and in the business environment which is exposing their weakness against foreign ones, recommending that they must learn to compete.
“Ghanaian business people should learn how to compete.”
“If Chinese come to Ghana, establish poultry farms, produce eggs locally, what is the problem? Which market are they selling in? Why are they not complaining? Why will our businesses not learn to compete?”
In order to deal with the issue, the buyers suggested that the local businessmen should normalize their prices to be able to compete, learn to compete in an open business environment, and issue a band on importation by the government. Some said, the poultry farmers should find alternative market to the existing ones to offload the current produce.
“You have a glut, please reduce your prices so those that were priced out will take advantage and increase demand.”
“Also if there’s egg glut the government should ban importation of egg as well if any” “
“Over 95% of processed food items in the supermarkets require egg white to make. They should go to Tema and other industrial enclaves to sell to the manufactures who mostly import this ingredient.”
This comes after the Accra Poultry Farmers Association expressed their displeasure over the influx of Chinese in the poultry business and the subsequent egg glut in recent times.
The Association narrated how the this has contributed to high volume competition and price disillusion leading to the collapse of local farms.
