December 18, 2012

Pakistan's prices of poultry products up 30-40%

Pakistan's prices of poultry products increased 30-40% in wholesale and retail markets in the last couple of days.

This is according to survey conducted by Business Recorder on Sunday (Dec 16).

A sharp increase in prices of chicken and eggs was witnessed due to non-availability of sufficient stock in the markets. The survey noted that price of chicken meat has been increased at PKR166 (US$1.7) per kilogramme from PKR110 (US$1.1) per kilogramme during the last four days in the wholesale and retail market. Chicken alive is being sold at PKR250-260 (US$2.55-2.65) against the preceding week rate of PKR200 (US$2). Similarly eggs' prices also shot up from PKR110 (US$1.1) to PKR130 (US$1.3) per dozen in the open market.

The dealers and local district administration had unanimously fixed rates of poultry with minimum rates in wake of surplus stock of chicken in the markets six months ago. Peshawar High Court also took a suo motu notice against the high prices of chicken in market and imposed ban on export of poultry products and cattle to Afghanistan. 

"We are forced to quit business as a number of poultry farm closed down due to facing immense financial losses," said Haji Jhangariz, a wholesaler and owner of poultry farm. He informed that dealers are compelled to sale chicken as per prices fixed by the district administration for the last three to four months, because 50% poultry farm have been closed down due to growing financial losses to owners.

Jhangariz further said that prices did not remain stable due to increasing rates of poultry fodders; while huge differences of prices between Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa poultry markets also making difficulty to sale chicken at lower prices. He informed that the poultry fodder prices have been increased PKR80 (US$0.8) to PKR100 (US$1) per sac twice a time in Punjab, which was available at PKR2,100 (US$21.4). While, he said the transportation charges, pesticide and other labour expenses make it impossible to sale chicken against the prices fixed at Punjab province.  

He demanded for decreasing the prices of poultry fodder, which can also maintain rates of chicken in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.