The imported cheaper feed already in the island. Inset, Supermarket owner Andrew Bynoe.

"ARE THEY COMPARING apples to apples?"

That was the reaction yesterday of Vernon Weekes, deputy general manager of Pinnacle Feeds Ltd about the importation of feed from Jamaica by two leading businessmen – Andrew Bynoe and LaRon Gibbs.

Bynoe said the feed was sourced from New Port Mills Ltd in Jamaica and the first shipment arrived a month ago.

"We are looking at reducing the cost of feed to farmers and we are able to do this at prices below the current prices," he said, adding they were importing feed for pigs, horses, dogs and chicken.

Gibbs, a veteran in the wholesale business, said the reason they were able to offer the feed cheaper was because the production cost in Jamaica was much lower than in Barbados.

The two have begun importing feed out of Jamaica and selling it to farmers at a cheaper price than that on the current market.

However, Pinnacle Feeds, the leading producer of animal feed concerned about this latest competition.

Commenting on the price structure which compares the market price of the various feeds to their cheaper prices, Weekes stated: "We did our research and in the end you have to use more of their feed. Their feed cannot produce a cheaper bird than the chicken grown on our feed."

Weekes said the farmers would probably buy the new feed "but they will come back to us because ours is better".

He pointed out that while Pinnacle Feeds sells three different sizes of broiler feed at three different prices the price list of the new competition only mentioned one size.

He added that there was also little or no difference in the prices.

"It is just about two cents cheaper per kilogramme. They are not lying but they are not accurate either because they are talking about a 25 kilogramme bag and we sell 30 kilograms."

He said over the years persons had imported feed from St Vincent, Trinidad and now Jamaica, but he said his company still produced the better feed.

"I can assure you that the feed they bring in, the amount used cannot produce a cheaper bird than the chicken grown on our feed. We produce the best feed in the Caribbean and that is a fact.

"We have the best starter, grower and the best finisher and the bird will get to market quicker. I can guarantee you that they will use less of our feed and reach the market quicker.

"We do our market research and in the end their feed don't last too long. The farmers will go to them but they will still come back", he stated.

He said that Pinnacle was keeping its feed at the "least possible cost", given the present circumstances.

"We did our research and in the end you have to use more of their feed. Their feed cannot produce a cheaper bird than the chicken grown on our feed," he added.

Weekes said the farmers would probably buy the new feed "but they will come back to us because ours is better". (MB)