New prices for animal feed as subsidy ends |23 November 2008

In an interview yesterday, chairman of the Seychelles Hatcheries and Feeds Company Dr Bernard Moulinie said before the economic reform programme the animal feed industry was among the most highly subsidised in the country, benefiting from more than R3.5 million a month.

He said the new prices – which are fixed for a month – also reflect changes in the exchange rate and rises in the costs of raw materials on the international market, in workers’ salaries, and in operational costs such as fuel, electricity and spare parts.

Dr Moulinie added that as feed is one of farmers’ main expenses, it is inevitable there will be an increase in the cost of meat and related products.

The involvement of middlemen in the business is another issue that contributes to the rise in prices, he said, while encouraging farmers to set up cooperatives and sell their products themselves for their own benefit and that of consumers.

Regarding the option of importing meat, Dr Moulinie said this is not advisable as the prices will be comparable to local market products due to the increase in exchange rates, and local meat is superior in quality because of its freshness and guaranteed food safety.

However, he said farmers are free to import their own animal feed.

A complete list of the various feeds and their new prices is below.

SEYCHELLES HATCHERY & FEEDS CO.
REVISED PRICES WITH EFFECT FROM 22 NOV 08