The increased gap between the production and demand of poultry meat during the month of Muharram is likely to keep prices stable at the current Rs 130 per kilogramme for the first quarter of the new year, stakeholders said yesterday (20 December).

Daily Times of Pakistan reports that the price of chicken meat surged to 180 to 210 rupees (PKR) per kilo during the months of September and October due to less production and high demand. However, with the arrival of Eidul Azha, the prices fell considerably during November and continue to decrease with the advent of Muharram during which poultry demand is traditionally at a low.

Egg prices, however, remain constant at PKR75 to 80 per dozen as the demand in winter season increases considerably. Consumers are relieved that prices returned to normal but poultry farmers describe reduced prices as "unnatural".

Pakistan Poultry Association’s former chairman, Raza Khurshand, told Daily Times that due to increased investment in the poultry sector, the production has increased but there has been a decrease in demand, which has led to price reduction. He said the prices would rise gain in the month of Safar, when the wedding season would resume.