Pork taking pride of place on some tables this season

As Jamaicans shuffled about on Friday making last-minute purchases for their Christmas meals, meat lovers say pork is a must-have on their dinner tables this year.

Donald Rose, a habitual pork eater, told The Gleaner that he had already purchased 15 pounds of the meat for his family of five, stating that it was a year-round staple protein in his household.

“Pork a di best meat fi eat!” he shouted, as he pushed his handcart loaded with grocery items and other meat kinds along Orange Street in downtown Kingston.

He reasoned that pork was better than poultry, another protein of the season in Jamaican households.

“Of course, me a eat pork fi Christmas,” two other customers told The Gleaner as they purchased meat at Master Mac Enterprise in downtown Kingston.

They said that while they do not consume pork regularly, they were looking forward to having the ham and pork shoulder cuts for this Christmas.

Elaine Sandra Pollock, who was shopping at the meat market in Cross Roads, St Andrew, told The Gleaner that because she did not have pork last year, she ensured she would have it this year to “treat” herself.

“When it comes on to Christmas for me, I love pork chops, so that’s a must for me. So, what I do, since couple months back, I don’t eat pork at all, because I know I’m gonna eat pork for Christmas,” she said, while laughing.

Pollock continued that the prices were reasonable, as there has not been much fluctuation since last year. She purchased pork chops for $500 per pound.

Consumers in the Corporate Area have also expressed support for the Government’s and key stakeholders’ – such as the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association – recent ‘Pork Jamaica’ campaign aimed at boosting consumption of the protein.

According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board in the United Kingdom, pork is naturally rich in protein, which helps with the maintenance and growth of muscle mass. It is also a good source of zinc, selenium and vitamins B12 and B6, which aid with the functioning of the immune system.

At the launch of the Pork Jamaica last month, Junior Agriculture Minister Franklin Witter said that while pork remains one of the country’s “most prominent proteins”, the consumption of the meat was low when compared to other jurisdictions.

Raymond McMaster, executive director of Master Mac Enterprise, told The Gleaner that the Government could boost pork production and consumption by helping to reduce production costs, educate farmers on the use of technology through training, and open their eyes to how they can grow better quality hogs “because the rest of the world is way ahead of us”.

He noted that throughout the year, there is a steady demand for pork at his business, but that he has not witnessed growth in the industry. He said there were also times when there was no product due to high production costs and an oversupply in the market.

McMaster said one of the biggest issues affecting the industry is praedial larceny, which drives up the cost for consumers.

“So we have to look at ways to control all of these things and how it affects the farmers. Listen to the farmers, and, more importantly, educate them ... because there is a market for it,” he said.

Ashley Sutherland, a meat vendor in the Cross Roads Meat Market who raises hogs, stated that the feed was expensive, starting at $3,000 per bag.

He continued that meeting that cost is a struggle for him, especially given that he is a stroke patient.

Sutherland stated that pork was being sold at his stall for $500 per pound, and $450 per pound if a customer was purchasing 10 or more pounds.

“I believe if the Government cares about small farmers, they must step up their plan for praedial larceny,” he also said.

asha.wilks@gleanerjm.com