Chicken supply back on track after temporary shipping delay

Many retailers in the nation’s capital run out of frozen chickens in their freezers last week, giving headache to chicken lovers.

Poultry Industry Association President Chris Prestwood clarified that it was due to logistics delay in shipment and not because of production shortfall.

The two major poultry companies, which supply the national market are based in Morobe Province.

In a media statement, it reads the industry is currently producing 40% more chicken per week than it was six months ago - the result of strategic planning and nearly K200 million in investment over the past three years.

And the recent disruption of supply of frozen chickens was caused by logistical delays, including shipping schedule changes that resulted in nearly 40 containers - each carrying close to 10 tonnes of product being temporarily held in Lae.

Mr Prestwood is confident, these delays have now been resolved, and stock levels are returning to normal across Port Moresby, this week.

The poultry industry is a protected industry, the ban on importation of imported frozen chickens from the Asia and Australia markets still stands.