April 2, 2008

Supply gap in Pakistan drives chicken prices to record highs
 

Chicken prices in Karachi have risen to Rs 205 per kg, an all time record for the area, but the high prices have been effective in curbing demand as sales recorded a sharp decline, local media said.

Soaring demand and a supply gap in the market pushed chicken prices beyond the purchasing power of common consumers, according to Tanveer Sher, of the Pakistan Daily Times.

Live chickens are currently priced at Rs 110-112 per kg in the wholesale markets while in the retail, it is available at Rs 113-115 per kg. Representatives of Poultry Association told Daily Times that bird flu in some of Karachi's poultry farms about two and half months ago is the main cause of the shortage.

At that time, chicken meat demand plunged as most consumers stopped buying chickens, causing chicken farmers loses of Rs 6 to 7 billion.

(US$1=62.550 rupees)