January 2, 2014

During the last week in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan, prices of eggs and chicken have registered a sharp increase due to extremely cold weather which has multiplied the demand of these two products.

Normally in winter season, the use of poultry products increase which ultimately result in escalating prices. But, according to market sources, the prices of these two essential commodities - chicken and eggs - have increased from PKR150 (US$1.42) per kilogramme to PKR185 (US$1.76) per kilogramme and PKR115 (US$1.09) per dozen to PKR130 (US$1.23) per dozen, respectively, in the different markets of twin cities which is not affordable price for a common man.

A couple of weeks ago, the chicken prices was around PKR150 (US$1.42) per kilogramme and eggs PKR115 (US$1.09) per dozen but increase in vehicles fares owing to unavailability of compressed natural gas (CNG) pushed the prices up. Majority of the people use eggs in their daily breakfast as it contains sufficient proteins which help maintaining good health but now they have to go for an alternative energy intake source.

Eggs are an absolute priority in breakfast and people are forced to purchase them on high prices. When contacted, a representative of the Poultry Association held costly feed, rise in petroleum and electricity prices responsible for increasing prices of the poultry products.