Consumers and Experts Urge Government Action on Poultry Price Surge

During the holy month of Ramazan, the prices of chicken and poultry meat in Pakistan have seen a significant increase, causing distress among consumers. From the start of Ramazan on March 12th to April 8th, the price of chicken rose by Rs 70 per kg, while poultry meat increased by 95 rupees per kg. This surge continued throughout the month, with poultry chicken prices going up by 15% and poultry meat prices by 17% per kg.

At the beginning of Ramazan, the price of chicken was fixed at Rs 410 per kg, but by the 28th of Ramazan, it had soared to Rs 475 per kg. Similarly, poultry meat prices jumped from Rs 595 to Rs 690 per kg during the same period. The rapid escalation was evident when, on April 6th, the price of live chicken reached Rs 437 per kg and meat was priced at 634 rupees per kg, marking a substantial increase in just two days.

Notably, during weekends in the last four weeks of Ramazan, there was a 10 to 12 percent increase in poultry prices, exacerbating the financial burden on consumers. The rise in prices has particularly affected the middle and lower-middle-class families, who heavily rely on poultry as a source of protein.

Expressing concerns over the situation, consumers like school teacher Salma Hashmi and hawker Irfan Khan emphasized the need for government intervention to investigate the reasons behind the price surge. Dr. Sajjad Arshad, former Chairman of the Pakistan Poultry Association, attributed the price hike to demand and supply dynamics, citing disruptions in soybean imports as a contributing factor.

The sharp increase in poultry prices during Ramazan has posed challenges for consumers, especially those belonging to the middle and lower-middle classes. As the month progresses, it is crucial for authorities to address the underlying causes of the price hike to ensure affordability and accessibility of essential food items for all segments of society.