May 5, 2012

 

 

In the wake of increasing demand and consumption of the commodity due to ongoing marriage season, the wholesale and retail price of poultry products has gone up in markets of Karachi at the rate of PKR25-30 (US$0.28-0.33) per kilogramme.

 

The retail price of poultry meat has soared up to PKR290 (US$3.19) per kilogramme at the retail outlets during the last few days, compared to PKR240-250 (US$2.64-2.75) per kilogramme in previous week.

 

Similarly the retail price of broiler (live) also went up to PKR158 (US$1.74) per kilogramme from previous price of PKR125-130 (US$1.38-1.43) per kilogramme.

 

Talking to Daily Times, Abdul Maroof Siddiqui, central convener, Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) attributed the steep rise in price of the commodity due to upsurge in its demand during the last fortnight.

 

"Not only are large scale orders received by the wholesalers and retailers of poultry product from caterers but fast food outlets and five star hotels are also placing substantial orders for catering their daily needs which pushed their prices up."

 

Abdul Maroof Siddiqui said in the wake of ongoing marriage season, demand of the poultry product has surged considerably which created demand and supply gap resulting in increase of its rates, reports the Pakistan Daily Times.

 

Other major reasons for the enhanced prices of the commodity include declining production by the farmers and it has become gradually difficult for them to meet its ever-growing demand.

 

Furthermore extra ordinary increase in prices of beef and the mutton, which is currently priced at PKR380-400 (US$4.19-4.41) per kilogramme and PKR550-560 (US$6.06-6.17) per kilogramme respectively, have compelled consumers to turn to their attention to chicken meat.

 

High prices have resulted in less domestic consumption of poultry meat as it has proved too expensive for consumers.

 

Abdul Maroof Siddiqui said current prices would remain the same for at least two months and it would start declining by the end of next month when hatching and production processes would normalise.