Fodder prices skyrocket amid shortage

Rising inflation appears to have taken a toll on livestock fodder. The prices of various fodder items have doubled in the last month, while a growing shortage in cattle feed is being reported across the province.

“I buy fodder for my cattle from a market near Ring Road on a daily basis. But recently, the skyrocketing prices and lack of supply in the market, has made it increasingly difficult to feed my animals,” shared Rana Javed, a farmer from Lahore.

There is no proper system for controlling fodder prices and managing supply and demand in Punjab. As a result, according to farmers like Javed, prices of various fodder items have increased twofold in just the span of last few weeks.

Maize, millet and curb although scarce, are still reported to be available in the market, while paddy stubble has now started arriving following wheat straw. “Maize, which was earlier priced at Rs150-170, is being sold for Rs350 per maund in the fodder market. Similarly millet, which was priced at Rs100-120, has spiked to Rs300-325 per maund.

Other than that, curb is currently priced at Rs225 per maund, while the small batches of paddy straw which have started arriving in the market are priced at Rs125-150 per maund, for being wet,” shared Ranna Javed.

Muhammad Yaqoob, a middleman in the fodder market said that the paddy is currently in its final stages of harvest, while farming land is being vacated for various other crops and fodder.

“Hence, there is an on-going fodder shortage in the markets, which has resulted in a sudden price surge. Fodder markets are largely unregulated. Landlords from nearby areas bring their fodder for sale, and sell it at their desired rates.”

Highlighting a market trend, the middleman said that the prices of fodder tend to go down as the day progresses but are at their highest before noon.

According to Yaqoob, the prices of dry fodder are likely to continue fluctuating until the arrival of green fodder. “There has been a significant surge in dry fodder rates of recently. Wheat straw is being sold for Rs700 to Rs725 per maund, while a 50 kilogram sack of dry wanda costs over Rs2,500 and cotton seed too has seen a sudden jump in prices,” told Yaqoob.

On the other hand, speaking to The Express Tribune, Rana Javed opined that although the prices of fodder have doubled, the price of milk has more or less remained the same in the last few weeks. “Presently, milk is being sold for Rs3,000 to Rs3,200 per maund in Lahore and adjoining areas. But cow milk is available for a little less.”

Talking about fodder affordability, the farmer said that those who cut fodder from their own fields are less impacted by the surge in prices.

However, those like him who buy fodder daily, have been brought on their beam-ends amid the current economic crisis.

“There are some farmers who take fields on annual leases and then cultivate seasonal fodder. Others cultivate fodder themselves and sell it in the markets. A canal of fodder is priced at Rs4,000-4,500 these days,” commented Javed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2020.