Pakistan's chicken prices on the decline

Pakistan's chicken and egg farmers are concerned about the fall in prices of their products, but industry watchers expect prices to recover in the coming weeks.

The prices of chicken decreased on Thursday, 30 October 2008, fuelled partly by a reduction in purchasing power, which has resulted in lower consumption of such commodities, reports Daily Times of Pakistan.

The poultry industry's stakeholders said that the major reason for the decrease of prices was lower consumption by people, adding that the production of chicken remained constant but consumers have stopped buying chicken due to the high prices.

However, the prices of have eggs remained between PKR 58-61 rupees (US$0.70-$0.75) per dozen.

The price of chicken was PKR 160 (US$2) per kilo at the start of this month, and remained PKR 150-160 (US$1.85-$2) until the third week. The prices started declining as the month passed.

Production of chicken was normal and that the weather was favourable for breeding. People generally buy more chicken at the start of the month, and that chicken sales reduce as the month progresses.

Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) Punjab Zone Secretary, Major Syed Javaid Hussain Bukhari said he expects prices to rebound in the first week of November. As the wedding season is arriving, the prices will increase.

He also said that chicken feed prices have increased and it had added to the cost of production. A bag of feed (50 kilogrammes) costs around PKR 1,450 (US$18)

The price of eggs will increase with the decrease in temperature, he predicts.