Mr Khursand said the exact losses could not be summed up at this time, but feared 5 to 7 per cent increase in the prices of chicken and eggs in the near future.

He said the industry incurred huge losses in Nowshera, Charsadda, interior Sindh and Multan in Punjab.

“Exact estimates of losses will be possible only after the clearance of water because many areas of the country are still inaccessible. Tentatively, the industry has suffered a loss of Rs 7 to 8 billion besides bringing the production process to a complete halt in the affected areas for the next six months,” he said. After the clearance of water, rebuilding of infrastructure would take at least six months, he said.

“The consumption of poultry, especially chicken has been also decreased in the flood-hit areas because focus is on basic foods items,” he said, adding that 5 to 7 percent increase in poultry items due to the flood factor,” Khursand said.

PakTribune reports that earlier in the day on Wednesday, the Poultry Association presented a cheque of Rs 10 million to the Punjab chief minister with a promise to extend further cooperation for the rehabilitation of flood affectees.