The removal of price control from imported lamb is to encourage Fijians to buy more local chicken meat, according to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Lamb is among the five items that have been removed from the price controlled list.

Trade Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says chicken meat is still very affordable and a lot of investment has been put into the local poultry industry.

"This is to support the chicken industry. As you know, chicken is still the cheapest meat in Fiji. It's locally grown. Local companies namely Goodman Fielder and to a lesser extent, Rooster Poultry, have invested about $8 million in the last 18 months. We want to encourage people to eat chicken."

Sayed-Khaiyum says the removal of imported lamb from the list will also encourage local sheep farming.