KARACHI: Broiler chicken (live) and its meat prices in Karachi hit Rs276-300 per kg and Rs420-450 per kg, showing a jump of Rs100 per kg in the last few days. The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ending Oct 7 showed an increase of 17.12 per cent in chicken prices in the country. Currently, chicken prices are 52pc higher compared to Oct 8, 2020.

General Secretary of Sindh Poultry Wholesalers and Retailers Association (SPWRA) Kamal Akhtar Siddiqui said supply of birds from poultry farms has decreased while the demand is strong due to the ongoing wedding season and an increase in outdoor dining.

He said poultry farmers had suffered losses three months back due to low prices. As a result, they refrained from putting new chicks for production, a decision whose impact is now visible in shape of rising poultry prices, the SPWRA office bearer said,

In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, live bird prices hover between Rs260-280 per kg followed by Rs236 in Gujranwala and Sialkot, Rs241 in Lahore, Rs248 in Faisalabad, Rs240 in Sargodha, Rs250 in Multan, Rs244 in Bahawalpur, Rs275 in Hyderabad, Rs290 in Sukkur and Larkana and Rs261 in Peshawar.

In Karachi, golden and boneless rates are Rs550 and Rs600 per kg, respectively, up Rs100 per kg in the last few days.

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey FY21, poultry is one of the most important sub-sector in the livestock chain as it provides employment to more than 1.5 million people in the country. With an investment of more than Rs750 billion, this industry is growing at an impressive rate of approximately 7.5pc per annum over the last decade. Pakistan is now placed at the 11th position among the largest poultry producers of the world and has ample space for further improvement.

The survey indicated an increase in poultry production to 1.578bn in FY21 from 1.443bn in FY20 and 1.321bn in FY19. Poultry meat production soared to 1.809m in FY21 from 1.657m in FY20 and 1.518m in FY19.

Despite rising production, consumers have been facing frequent increase in poultry prices.

Surprisingly, the daily price issued by Commissioner Karachi showed live bird price at Rs138 per kg and its meat at Rs214 per kg which in reality does not exist in any retail shops of the mega city. The poultry rates are same as that on January 1 this year.

Retailers avoid putting on display the official price list as they do not have any fear of being apprehended by the price regulating authority on charge of profiteering or any kind of imposition of fine.

Meanwhile, the website of Pakistan Poultry Association (Central) has clearly mentioned that the association has no role in the rate fixation of poultry and poultry products.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2021