KARACHI, Sept 2: The two poultry associations are perceived to be manipulating prices with the advent of Ramazan. A wholesalers’ body jacked up the rate of live bird to Rs116 per kg, while the other association kept the rate at Rs108 per kg on the first day of Ramazan.

The Karachi Wholesalers’ Poultry Association (KWPA) on Tuesday fixed poultry meat rate at Rs202 per kg, while the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) did not issue the rate of bird meat. PPA’s live bird rate was Rs108 per kg from Rs102 on August 30. In many markets, poultry traders have their own way of charging the rate. They do not follow the rates of the KWPA.

In the absence of any check on poultry rates by the city government, these two associations enjoy a free hand. Neither the federal nor the provincial government has so far intervened to check the rising rates of poultry. The current poultry meat rate of over Rs200 per kg has pushed behind beef price (bachia with bones) which is selling at Rs170 per kg.

It has been observed that the poultry people push up the rate on the eve of Ramazan and Chand Raat when people throng the markets to buy white meat for Eidul Fitr.

KWPA General Secretary Kamal Akhtar Siddiqui said that in the entire Karachi his association’s rate prevails, while the PPA has nothing to do with the price-fixing.

He said that the prices of poultry were not fixed anywhere in the world and it was based on the demand and supply basis. He linked the price hike to the short supply as many farms suffered huge losses few months back.

PPA Convenor Press and Public Relations Abdul Maroof Siddiqui said that the KWPA’s fixing of rate was not justified because the PPA was the main association for issuing the rate across the country.

“We may take up the price fixing and its regulation matters with the city government,” he said. However, he said in many parts of the city, poultry meat was selling at Rs190 per kg. About rising prices, he said that there were problems of shortage in the arrivals. Some 30 per cent farms in Sindh had been closed down in the last four to six months after farmers suffered huge losses as the prices went below their cost of production.

Mr Maroof said that the cost of production had surged after rising feed prices to Rs1,175 per 50-kg bag as compared to Rs750 a year back. Besides, increase in labour charges coupled with rising transportation cost had further pushed up the cost of production.

Following surge in poultry rates, the chicken tikka was now selling at Rs90-100 for a quarter (chest piece) and leg piece at Rs80. The Biryani makers were demanding Rs120-140 for a full plate.