April 25, 2007

Marriage season in Pakistan creates surge in poultry prices

As the season for tying the knot and exchanging sacred vows nears in Pakistan, more chickens are being slaughtered to celebrate the occasion, creating a surge in prices.

Retail prices have risen as much as 15 percent from Rs 130-135 (EUR 1.58-1.65) per kg to Rs 130 (€1.58) per kg previously. Prices of live broilers have climbed as well.

Prices have increased in both wholesale and retails markets of Karachi, ranging from Rs 10-15 (EUR 0.12-1.18) per kg due to an increase in demand and consumption.

On the other hand, the high prices has turned off consumers who are not celebrating marriages.

Current prices should remain for the next one and half months and should begin to fall as the hatching and production process normalizes, authorities said.