January 26, 2007

Poultry prices to go up by 10 percent in the UAE
 

Poultry consumers can expect a 10 percent hike in the prices of local poultry soon, according to Dr Hussein Husainon, Technical Secretary of UAE Poultry Association.

Higher production costs and increased prices of fodder and veterinary medicines, had made this inevitable, he said.

The Poultry Association has not allowed poultry prices to go up so far in view of the needs of customers.

Dr Husainon said the increase was not limited to the UAE alone.

In Egypt, egg prices have nearly doubled while most other countries in the region have seen a 50 percent jump, he noted.

However, in the UAE, price hikes would not exceed 10 percent, he assured consumers.

This hike is only meant to cover production costs, with room for marginal profit, he emphasised. 

Price increases in the last two months was mainly attributable to the ban on import of chicken and closure of some poultry farms because of bird flu. Dr Husainon said he expected consumers to understand and support the local poultry industry.