Pricy poultry flies higher
PHOTO: CBC
Like the rest of the country, poultry and vegetable prices in Karachi climbed fresh highs on Sunday sending people reeling under unflationary pressure.
The administration is missing from the scene and has given free rein to the profiteers, buyers at a market told The Express Tribune survey team.
Onions and tomatoes hit a ton getting dearer by over a hundred rupees per kilogramme, while the rest of the greens marched further as rupee continues to lose its buying power.
During the Eid holidays, shopkeepers sold poultry meat for Rs650 per kg, however, past the Eid Milan Party season, it was still being sold at Rs700 per kg, while boneless was selling at Rs820 to R850 per kg.
According to consumers, this tariff has not been implemented before, and now the poultry traders have colluded to increase the prices. On the other hand, the increase in the price of chicken is being termed as its excess demand.
As per poultry sellers, the demand for chicken has quadrupled due to the wedding season, Eid and more people eating at hotels. The price is expected to reduce in the coming days.
While mutton remained pegged at Rs1,600 per kg, beef (boneless) rates climbed up from Rs800 to Rs1,000.
A few days ago, onions were sold at Rs60 per kg suddenly took a leap of Rs40 and perched at Rs100 per kg on counters. Greengrocers were seen selling tomatoes at Rs100, garlic at Rs320, ginger at Rs320, and green pepper at Rs160 per kg. When the price reached Rs1,000 per kg, the lemons disappeared from the market.
The free market has become 'free for all' to the point that Karachi commissioner has stopped issuing an official price list, said a disgruntled buyer.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2022.