Chicken is being sold at a record high price in the twin cities, as nowadays one kilogram chicken is available for 160 to 170 rupees (PKR), reports The News of Pakistan.
According to sources in the chicken market, it is the record increase in the price of chicken in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad because more than 50 per cent chicken is being smuggled to Afghanistan, Iran and some other countries to earn more and more profit. The city district administration is witnessing the drama of increase in poultry prices as a silent spectator. Its officials told The News that they could not take any action because chicken prices are fixed on daily basis in the wholesale markets.
Chicken was available in the markets of twin cities for PKR105 to 110 per kilogram in June. However, it is being sold for PKR160 to 170 per kilogram in Rawalpindi for the last three days. Every day, the increase is PKR5 to 10.
According to Poultry Research Institute (PRI), the current price of chicken was beyond the reach of many consumers. The concerned officials on the condition of anonymity told The News that they have called an emergency meeting in which poultry businessmen would participate. "Participants of the meeting will take up the issue of record increase in the prices of chicken. Chicken price will decrease in a month," they said.
According to PRI, the chicken price registered a sharp increase as a large number of birds died in the hot and humid weather.
"There is a wide gap between supply and demand. For this reason, the price of chicken is all-time high these days," PRI explained.
All Pakistan Poultry Association (APPA) Chairman Dr Muhammad Aslam admitted the fact that it is a record increase in chicken price in Rawalpindi. He said that more than 20 per cent of birds die in every poultry farm because of hot and humid weather and long spells of electricity load-shedding.
"The owners of more than 30 per cent poultry farms had closed down their business during the last two years because of losses," he said. He added that the chicken price would come down very soon.
According to All Pakistan Poultry Association (APPA) there are a total of 825 poultry farms of broiler chicken, 122 poultry farms of layer chicken and 20 poultry farms of breeder chicken in Rawalpindi.
Muhammad Riaz Kiani, a chicken wholesale dealer, said that they purchase birds at higher rate and fix the retail rate on a daily basis. The concerned government department and tycoons of the poultry industry fix rates of the chicken, he said.
Niaz Ahmed, a government employee, said that he could not afford to buy chicken at such a high price. "Poor ate chicken curry on Eid, but now we don't have the power to purchase the costly meat. The concerned authorities should take action against poultry tycoons rather than providing them a free hand to loot the public, he demanded.
Sadia Akhtar, a patient admitted in the District Headquarters Hospital, said that doctors have advised her chicken soup every day. She told The News: "My husband is unable to purchase chicken for PKR160 to 170 per kilogram as he works in a private company on a meagre salary." She added that the government should stop chicken smuggling to other countries to bring to an end the shortage in Pakistan.
ReplyDeleteThis article contains some of the best information on this subject. I found this easy to understand and interesting to read. Egg rate today & chicken rate today find the latest price of Eggs and Chicken only at Lahore 42. Lahore news gives you update of Punjab egg rate and chicken rate.
ReplyDeleteYour content is valid and informative in my personal opinion. You have really done a lot of research on this topic. Thanks for sharing it. Egg rate today & chicken rate today find the latest price of Eggs and Chicken only at Lahore 42. Lahore news gives you update of Punjab egg rate and chicken rate.