Price hike for chickens explained

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The soaring price of chicken in Pakistan has been attributed to an acute shortage of chicks, the poultry industry's foundational element, according to industry sources.

Initially, a spike in chick prices strained the market, but now even expensive chicks are scarce. In Punjab, chick prices have reached record highs, causing disruptions in poultry production.

Farmers are struggling to replenish stocks as the unavailability of chicks delays new production cycles, raising concerns about future chicken supply.

Private companies’ monopolistic control has further exacerbated the crisis, sources claim. “Without a reduction in chick prices, it’s impossible to lower chicken meat prices,” said a poultry insider.

Chicken meat in Lahore climbed to Rs700 per kilogram on Monday, significantly above the government rate of Rs595. Meanwhile, poultry farmers’ calls for reduced feed costs were dismissed in a recent feed committee meeting.

Despite a Rs50 per kilogram drop in soyabean prices, which fell from Rs230 to Rs180, poultry feed costs have not decreased.

Soyabean is a key component in poultry feed, and farmers argue that this should have translated into cost reductions.

The crisis reflects broader challenges in stabilising poultry production and pricing amidst supply shortages and rising costs in the industry.