Poultry Rates Plummet on Improved Supplies

PAKISTAN - After sustained high rates of chicken meat in the retail and wholesale markets of Karachi during the last one month, its prices have eventually started declining in the wake of improved supply from Punjab.
calendar icon 29 September 2011
clock icon 4 minute read

It may be recalled that devastation of large number of poultry farms across Sindh by unprecedented spell of monsoon rain during the last one month, had pushed its prices to unprecedented rates Rs 300 per kg while livebird was available at Rs.174 per kg pushing the commodity beyond the buying powers of general consumers.

This rate remained prevalent in the market for three weeks to one month compelling consumers to switch over to other mood of food available in the market.

However, to the relief of general consumers it started declining during the last few days and is currently available at around Rs. 240 to Rs 245 per kg while livebird at Rs. 150 per kg enabling consumers to make its required purchases.

Poultry Industry traders have attributed the much needed decline in chicken meat rates on account of improved supply from Punjab where currently large stock is available to cater daily requirement of Karachi population.

They claimed that poultry sector in Sindh would remain in dilapidated condition and would return to normalcy in next few months.

The poultry sector of the province specially those located in the close proximity of coastal areas including Karachi, Sajawal, Thatta, Badin and Hub Chowki have suffered massive financial losses due to widespread rains causing billions of rupees worth of losses to the industry and it would take long duration of time for the traders and farmers to rebuild their business in coming days ahead.

Abdul Maroof Siddiqui, Central Convener, Pak Poultry Association told According to Daily Times that Karachi is receives bulk supply from Punjab areas of Okara, Sahiwal, Patuki, Lahore and adjoining areas on a daily basis.

"These areas are considered as hub of poultry sector which also cater chicken meat requirements of majority of Punjab population," he added.

A substantial jump was witnessed in the demand of chicken meat in the retail markets of Karachi with the decline in its rates as traders have reported resurgence is number of buyers flocking to their outlets.

A retailer at busy Empress Market situated in Saddar area claimed that number of buyers at his outlet have increased manifolds during the last 48 hours spelling good business prospects for him.

Earlier, very dismal trade activities were witnessed at majority of outlets of the historical market where few buyers were seen making their daily purchases of chicken meat but now situation has entirely changed as crowds of buyers can be witnessed at every outlet.

A similar situation was reported by large number of retailers situated in different city areas expressing their delight at sharp reduction in chicken meat rates.

"It is the only commodity which provides relief to buyers in terms of price which are affordable to majority of population otherwise hardly any decline was witnessed in the market in rates of scores of kitchen items including beef and mutton already spiraled beyond the buying powers of consumers," claimed another retailer at Gol Market Nazimabad.

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