Roberts loses big share of regional market

Roberts Manufacturing has lost 68 per cent of its regional market for vegetable oil to competition from extra-regional sources.
Imports of chicken from outside the region are also posing a threat to the company’s poultry feed production and distribution.
Managing director David Foster yesterday indicated the competition was hurting the company which depends heavily on exports.
Sixty eight per cent of the 350 tons of margarine and shortening and 300 tons of oil produced by Roberts monthly are exported. The company also produces close to 5 000 tons of animal and poultry feed every month.
Speaking to the media after conducting Opposition Leader Mia Mottley and Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly Kerry Symmonds on a tour – part of the Opposition’s Rubbing Shoulders exercise – Foster said the company was looking at markets outside CARICOM to offset the loss of distribution within CARICOM, while aiming to maintain and possibly increase production levels. (GC)