The Editor, Sir:

Mr Levy and Jamaica Broilers must be congratulated on their decision to roll back the prices on chicken meat. It appears that the rolling back is proportional to the kind of decrease that the lowering of corn prices have had on the industry. Indeed, we see rollbacks too in the fuel prices at gas pumps; however, what has always surprised me is the levels at which they occur.

When the gas prices had risen somewhere in the region of $145 per barrel, the prices at the pumps in Jamaica were in the region of $95. Since then gas prices are now in the region of $115 - a $30 or approximately 20 per cent decrease - yet gas at the pumps today is in the vicinity of $90, representing a less than five per cent decrease.

Respecting business ethics

As soon as gas prices go up, we feel it at the pumps but whenever they go down, there seems to be much hesitation in passing on the commensurate reduction to the consumer. Those retailing gas apparently see it as an opportunity for a higher profit margin and do little in terms of respecting business ethics.

It is within this context that the article published on Mr Levy's decision to reduce chicken prices has caught my attention, especially as most people don't follow corn prices with the tenacity they do oil.

Consumers' burden

I would encourage our businesses to remember that consumers have a greater burden to bear each time the price of a product is increased and though there has to be a way out, it is important that in the same way price increases are passed on to consumers proportional to the increased price, reductions too should be proportionally passed on to the consumer.

I am, etc.,

MARK A. CLARKE

makeis@yahoo.com

10 Seaview Rd, Stony Hill PO

Kingston 9

Via Go-Jamaica