February 26, 2013

Qatar faces scarcity in poultry products

Qatar's poultry products are facing scarcity, due to a serious shortage in supply and the inability of local farms to fulfill the rising demand.

Prices of frozen chicken have increased by 20% to 30% over the past few weeks, after an increase in prices in the international market.

There was a severe shortage of fresh chicken in the local market after Saudi Arabia, the major exporter of poultry products to the country, imposed a ban on exports.  The ban is being relaxed but industry sources believe that prices of imported and local varieties will go up shortly as dealers are awaiting a nod from the authorities.

An official of a leading hypermarket said that despite a shortage in supply, prices of fresh chicken had not increased considerably because the authorities had not given permission until now.

With prices continuing to soar and poultry products remaining in short supply, several citizens called on the government to decentralise the poultry industry to allow and encourage more Qatari investors to enter the sector.

According to official data, local farms are capable to meet only 30% of the demand for poultry products, forcing the country to rely on imports.