Concerns over the high price of chicken have been raised in Tonga's parliament.
A constituency report from Ha'apai stated cartons of chicken were selling for as much as $US27.
Radio Tonga reported Tongatapu MP Mateni Tapueluelu questioned who should take the blame for the prices.
The Minister of Revenue Tevita Lavemaau says the price of chicken is controlled by the government's Competent Authority.
Tonga's parliament spent time discussing the price of chicken Photo: Tonga Parliament
Mr Lavemaau says the only tax imposed on chicken is 40 seniti or 18 US cents per kilo so such goods should not be expensive.
The Competent Authority says the retail price for chicken is just over 1 dollar 80 US and cartons vary from $US19 to $US23.
The Minister of Justice Vuna Fa'otusia said it was important that members of the public raise price issues with the authority.
Mr Fa'otusia said the public could also make submissions of commodities they think should be controlled.
