Strong Demand Pushes Prices Higher in Pakistan

PAKISTAN - Poultry traders are accused of fleecing consumers with high prices while demand in high in the run-up to Eid.
calendar icon 21 September 2009
clock icon 3 minute read

According to Dawn, poultry farmers and retailers are enjoying good business as they have further pushed up prices in view of surging demand ahead of Eidul Fitr. As prices quoted by the Karachi Wholesale Poultry Association (KWPA) and Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) lacked uniformity, traders were selling at high prices depending on the locality.

The two poultry associations have no influence on their members to sell by the quoted prices, leaving consumers at the mercy of the traders.

The PPA quoted live bird rate at 152 rupees (PKR) per kilo on 19 September but it did not issue any rate for chicken meat. The KWPA, however, tagged live bird at PKR 156 per kilo and meat at PKR 255 per kg.

At Empress Market Saddar, traders were displaying poultry live bird and its meat price at PKR 158 and 266 per kilo respectively, while in other areas these rates ranged from PKR 150 to 154 per kilo.

Traders in residential areas were charging PKR 270 to 280 per kilo for white meat, reports Dawn.

Four days previously, the KWPA had quoted the price of PKR 150 and PKR 250 per kilo for live birds and its meat, respectively. In the first week of September, poultry live bird price was PKR 124 per kg while its meat was selling at PKR 210 to 220 per kg.

Since the poultry sector is outside the control of the city government and even at the federal government due to multiple fluctuations in its prices on weekly basis, the traders and farm owners enjoy a free hand to set prices for consumers.

KWPA general secretary, Kamal Akhtar Siddqui, attributed the rise in prices to reduced supplies following mortality of many birds in heavy rains on 31 August.

Traders and farm owners have made an annual ritual of pushing up the rates on every religious occasion when demand of birds goes up.

Prices were also high for consumers of red meat. Beef with and without bones is now selling at PKR 260 to 280 per kilo and PKR 200 to 220 per kilo, respectively depending on the areas. Mutton is on sale for PKR 340 to 350 per kilo. Consumers are yet to see the sale of these items at official set prices.

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