Waters rise in Blue Creek; poultry industry affected

We reported last week that the price of chicken had dropped by six cents per pound. But as flooding continues to affect rural areas, the livestock and poultry industries are taking a direct hit which means that prices of these basic commodities are likely to go up. Caribbean Chicken and Western Feed Service are two companies located in the Blue Creek Area that are experiencing the effects of overflowing river beds of the Rio Hondo and Rio Bravo rivers, which border the area. According to Caribbean Chicken’s Manager, Isaac Bergen, they have been able to transport their produce but they are incurring high costs to do so.

Isaac Bergen, Manager, Caribbean Chicken
“The sales are quite slower these days like when there’s lots of flood all over, that kinda hurts us that way. And the other way is it’s a lot more expensive for us to get the products to town because of the crossing with boats. We’re spending a lot of time and effort trying to get things to town for customers.”

David Bergen, Manager, Western Feed Service
“Our main entrance road, we actually have only one and that’s by the Rio Bravo Bridge. We have between five to six feet of water on the road and it is for about a mile and we’ve got to take out all our products by boatng our products that we need in our community back in by boat.”

Duane Moody
“Okay, and what is that doing to your business sir?”

David Bergen
“It’s adding a lot of cost to our business because we have a lot of extra expenses, a lot of labour expenses and plus all the expenses for bringing everything in small quantities by boat and it’s adding a whole lot of expense to our products.”

Duane Moody
“So how long has this been occurring?”

David Bergen
“We have been using the boats since Friday evening last week.”

Duane Moody
“This is the highest the water has ever been?”

David Bergen
“No, this is not as high as it was when hurricane Keith came but it’s still increasing. Last night it increased about four inches and we are not at peak yet. We don’t know what peak it will be.”