March 24, 2006

Meat prices double as Iraq imposes total poultry ban

Red meat prices have doubled in Iraq following a ban on imported chickens announced after two Iraqis died from the H5N1 bird flu virus.

With the virus spreading to other continents, steps have to be taken to ensure safety, said Ra'ad Hamza, a senior trade ministry official.

Chickens were still being imported from Brazil and France up until Wednesday (Mar 22). However, supplies are now cut off in view of the rapid spread of the virus, Hamza said.

Iraq has been importing around 90 percent of its poultry needs since January. Many farmers have found it hard to sell off their poultry due to bird flu concerns.

Meanwhile, prices for lamb have doubled since the bird flu outbreak in Iraq, rising from US$4 to US$8, causing many Iraqis to go without meat in their daily diet.

Some 2.5 million chickens have been culled since the first human case of bird flu was reported on Jan 19.