September 30, 2003
UAE Live, Fresh Chicken More Costly Despite Imports
Shopkeepers, especially those selling live chickens, have increased prices by between Dh2 and Dh2.50 a few days ago taking the retail price to the highest this year at between Dh11 and 12.50. (US$I = DH3.67)
The main reason for the increase is the reported high demand and temporary shortage in supply. "We are not getting enough live chickens," said a shopkeeper in the Sharjah Animal and Bird Market, who blamed the shortage on the price increase.
Shopkeepers who sell live chickens said prices were between Dh8.50 and Dh10 just a week ago, but now sell for Dh11 to Dh 12.50 because poultry farms have also increased the wholesale price.
Supermarkets have also reported an increase in the price of fresh chicken at Dh11 and Dh 11.50 per kg. The wholesale price has increased from Dh9 to Dh9.50. A week ago, the retail price for fresh chicken was below Dh10.
However, an official of a leading poultry company claimed that prices have remained stable, blaming the cut in production on the lack of day-old chicks.
"The poultry market was facing problems due to the ban on the import of chicks from Europe, especially Holland and Germany. But even after the ban has been lifted, the supply is not enough to cope with the market," he said, adding that now chicks are mainly coming from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and India.
This shortage comes just before the fasting month of Ramadan, as farm owners increase their poultry stock for anticipating higher demand. As a result, consumers might have to pay more when eating poultry in restaurants or when buying live birds.
Many people prefer to buy live chickens and have them slaughtered at poultry shops as they are conscious about the quality of meat they eat.
