May 8, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 5, 1424

KARACHI, May 7: The prices of broiler live bird have jumped to Rs68 from Rs62 per kg on May 1, showing an increase of 9.7 per cent in just one week. In April, poultry bird was being retailed at Rs60 per kg.

The prices of chicken meat have also gone up by six per cent or Rs7-8 per kg to Rs119-120 per kg from Rs112 per kg. Egg prices have also increased by Re1 per dozen to Rs24 from Rs23 per dozen.

A poultry trader attributed the sharp increase in prices to short supplies in the market owing to outbreak of diseases in poultry farms, killing a large number of birds.

Traditionally, it was observed that consumption of poultry items in hot weather comes down and prices usually remain either stable or decline, but this time it is not the case.

Market sources said that rising trend in exports could be one of the reasons for price shoot up in the market.

According to figures compiled by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), export of these items during July-March 2002-03 surged by 58 per cent to $2.6 million against $1.6 million in the same period of 2001-02.