KARACHI: There is no relief for consumers even after Eid as stakeholders in the poultry sector had further increased the price of live bird and its meat to Rs290 and Rs450-500 per kilo from Rs260 and Rs420-440 per kg, respectively, two days ahead of Eid.

Boneless chicken meat price rose to Rs650-700 per kg from Rs600 per kg.

Retailers said they were increasing prices because of rising prices in wholesale poultry rates.

Increase in prices appears to be surprising after Eid when demand usually goes down as people had already made excessive buying ahead of Eid and many customers still have white meat stocks in their freezers.

Compared to last year’s Eid, many people had refrained from visiting their relatives and friends at lunch and dinner this year due to the coronavirus threat.

Besides, poultry demand is also going slow as marriages, valimas and engagement ceremonies are still banned.

However, online sale of chicken dishes remained high from restaurants, hotels and barbecue outlets.

The businessmen associated with the chicken industry took full advantage of red meat holidays as butchers were likely to resume their businesses on Thursday.

In the meantime, consumers only had poultry meat option for buying on Tuesday and Wednesday.

With the fresh jump in prices, chicken boneless price has almost come at par with veal beef boneless at Rs700 per kg.

The poultry industry and shopkeepers have continued increasing prices during pre- and post-Eidul Fitr days, blaming lower supplies of birds from farms.

Market observers say shopkeepers are increasing prices without any fear of being fined or jailed by the city government for raising prices.

The writ of city commissioner in controlling skyrocketing prices appears to be non-existent, which is evident from the price regulator’s lack of interest in keeping prices of live bird and its meat unchanged at Rs138 per kg and Rs214 per kg during entire Ramazan till to date.

A poultry farmer said birds were also coming from Punjab to Karachi to cover demand in the city.

He said live bird and its meat rates should not exceed Rs258 and Rs440 per kg.

Earlier in May, live bird and its meat prices were Rs140 per kg and Rs367 per kg, respectively.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2020