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Prime Minister Bruce Golding is accusing local fertiliser manufacturers of engaging in price gouging and is threatening to take drastic action if the cost of supplies continues to go up.
He has ordered the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct an immediate investigation into their pricing policies and present a report before the end of the week.
The report will determine whether the Government should bypass local manufacturers and import low cost fertiliser.
The Prime Minister made the disclosure during a press conference held Monday shortly after he returned from an official visit to Venezuela.
Mr. Golding disclosed that during discussions with regional leaders it was discovered that countries were importing fertiliser way below the price being charged for the commodity in Jamaica.
"In discussions with Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Denzil Douglas and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, they are importing fertiliser from the Dominican Republic and they are able to import and sell that fertliser for less than US$50 per bag and I need an explanation from the local manufacturers, why is it that our farmers have to be paying US$100 per bag," said Mr. Golding.
Price gouging
He said this is a strong indication that manufacturers are engaging in unfair pricing practices.
"If we cannot get a proper deal for our local farmers, I'm going to authorize that we import fertilizer direct from the Dominican Republic so that we can deliver that to our farmers at a proper rate. There's no question in my mind that somebody is gouging out somebody's eye in this matter and we're not going to up with it," said Mr. Golding.
Farmers have been complaining about the sharp increase in the price of fertiliser since the start of the year.
Following another upward movement earlier this month the Jamaica Agricultural Society warned consumers to expect an increase in the price of ground produce.
The increase in the price of corn has been blamed for the rise in the cost of fertiliser.
He has ordered the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct an immediate investigation into their pricing policies and present a report before the end of the week.
The report will determine whether the Government should bypass local manufacturers and import low cost fertiliser.
The Prime Minister made the disclosure during a press conference held Monday shortly after he returned from an official visit to Venezuela.
Mr. Golding disclosed that during discussions with regional leaders it was discovered that countries were importing fertiliser way below the price being charged for the commodity in Jamaica.
"In discussions with Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Denzil Douglas and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, they are importing fertiliser from the Dominican Republic and they are able to import and sell that fertliser for less than US$50 per bag and I need an explanation from the local manufacturers, why is it that our farmers have to be paying US$100 per bag," said Mr. Golding.
Price gouging
He said this is a strong indication that manufacturers are engaging in unfair pricing practices.
"If we cannot get a proper deal for our local farmers, I'm going to authorize that we import fertilizer direct from the Dominican Republic so that we can deliver that to our farmers at a proper rate. There's no question in my mind that somebody is gouging out somebody's eye in this matter and we're not going to up with it," said Mr. Golding.
Farmers have been complaining about the sharp increase in the price of fertiliser since the start of the year.
Following another upward movement earlier this month the Jamaica Agricultural Society warned consumers to expect an increase in the price of ground produce.
The increase in the price of corn has been blamed for the rise in the cost of fertiliser.
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