The prices of poultry items witnessed sharp increase as the chicken prices in open market was sold at 130 to 150 rupees (PKR) per kilo, while the retail rates of the eggs were at PKR 80 to 85 per dozen, according to Pakistan Observer.

APPA chairman, Dr Aslam indicated the reasons behind the recent hike in the prices of chicken and eggs, he said that the poultry industry had born huge loss during the last couple of years due to bird flu outbreak in the country.

The poultry production was reduced by 30 per cent during last year and the industry remained under loss, resulting shut down of many farms in the country, he added. He also categorically denied the possibility of any cartelisation in the poultry industry adding that poultry items could not be kept for a longer time to create artificial price hike of the commodity.

He said that currently about 11 million birds are produced per weak in 28,000 farms throughout the country to fulfill the market demands.

Muhammad Aslam added that the farm gate price for chicken is PKR 95 to 100 per kilo and it was available at PKR 150 per kilo in the open market adding that the prices of chicken were reduced by PKR 20 to 30 during last couple of weeks.

He told Pakistan Observer: "The prices of chicken in the country were reasonable as compare to other meat like mutton and beef besides its prices were lowest as compare to the neighbouring countries of the region.

He added that prices of the poultry products, including meat and eggs, witnessed some increase due to market behaviour which was revolving around PKR 10 to 15 up and some time down.