The Dominican Republic continued to reap the benefits of a solid agricultural base as statistics released by the Ministry of Agriculture show that 80,000 pigs and 17.8 million chickens are ready for the holiday festivities. The different departments of the Agriculture Ministry, together with the Cibao Pork Producers Association and private producer Manuel Excano all reassured Listin Diario reporters that there would be no shortage of meat over the holidays. Poultry demand has risen by 17% over the last year, and the authorities agreed to increase production by 3.5 million units, an increase of nearly 25%. Pork on the hoof is selling at RD$48 to RD$50 per pound at the farm level, and Jose Alba, the president of the Cibao Producers Association warned shoppers to beware of speculators. He even suggested that the Price Stabilization Institute (INESPRE) should step in and dictate a fair price for pork over the holidays.