KARACHI, MAY 29: Chicken meat from China has started finding way into the local markets and some parties have imported around 75 tons of meat in the last two months, while some more shipments are in the pipeline.

As many as three containers, carrying 25 tons each of poultry boneless meat, have been brought in by two local parties from China at price of Rs68 per kg. After adding duties and taxes, the total landed cost has reached to Rs78 per kg, Central Chairman, Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), Afsar Qadri told Dawn on Thursday.

“The government must take notice of imports at dumping prices. Moreover, our neighbouring country is in grip of SARS these days and imports of livestock may prove harmful and dangerous for end users,” Afsar Qadri said. Till Wednesday, poultry meat was selling at Rs120 per kg. On Thursday, the prices have dropped to Rs112-114 per kg.

“We have urged the federal government to impose 100 per cent customs duty on poultry meat import so that local industry could survive,” he said adding that currently 25 per cent import duty and 15 per cent sales tax are levied on meat import, thus encouraging importers to bring in cheaper products from neighbouring country. He added that India has levied 100pc import duty on chicken meat imports to protect its local industry.

“We have decided to take up the matter of meat imports from China at the Federal Poultry Board meeting to be held in the first week of next month,” convenor PPA, Abdul Maroof Siddiqui said adding that frequent imports would prove disastrous for local industry where millions of people are employed.

Meanwhile, prices of broiler live bird, after witnessing a rise of Rs10 per kg in the last one month to Rs72 till Wednesday from Rs62 on May 1, finally plunged to Rs64 per kg on Thursday, showing a drop of 11pc.

According to figures of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports surged by 72 per cent to $3.1 million in July-April 2002- 2003 from $1.8 million in the same period of 2001-2002.

Afsar Qadri ruled out that rising export was the main reason behind price hike in poultry birds. He said shortage caused by low production coupled with rising demand owing to start of marriage season after Rabi-ul-Awal could be the main reasons of price hike, which has now declined by Rs eight per kg to Rs64 per kg on Thursday.

Poultry products, mostly cull birds, are also being smuggled to Afghanistan.