April 9, 2007

Import ban causing higher UAE poultry prices

The ban on all live poultry in UAE shops has forced retailers to import poultry, causing a rapid climb in chicken and egg prices.

The UAE's Ministry of Environment and Water had recently ordered the closure of all live poultry shops across the country as a precautionary measure against bird flu, which occurred in nearby Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Since then, the kingdom has tightened inspections to prevent birds or poultry from entering.

A major poultry breeding and production company, Farooj Al Wadi, has said it would be raising prices 10 to 15 percent due to rising feed and animal medicine costs.

According to local retailers, corn prices have risen by 75 percent this year while soy prices have increased by 45 percent.