ISLAMABAD: Amid ongoing feed crisis in the country, poultry rates continue to rise, making new records every day as in some markets, retailers are charging prices at their will.

In various markets of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Rs60 per kilogramme price difference for live chicken was being observed, with the rates ranging between Rs390 and Rs450 per kg.

Similarly, chicken meat has already crossed beef (with bones) price and with no respite in sight in the feed crisis, the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days.

The crisis has emerged due to differences between the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, and as a result of which nine shipments of soybean remain stuck at the Karachi ports.

The soybean meal is the key ingredient of the poultry feed and as a result the poultry farms are not getting enough feed for their flocks.

Incidentally, responding to the issue of high poultry rates in the country, Minister for Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema recently not only accused the PPA of blackmailing the government but added that the feed included toxic ingredients as genetically modified soybean was used to make chicken feed.

The soybean shipments have been stranded at the ports since October 2022 but the feed crisis started to emerge later in December 2022 as the local stocks started to deplete.

The official rate of a live broiler chicken was Rs295 per kg on Dec 20, 2022, reaching Rs380 per kg on Friday but this price is only applicable in the weekly bazaar of Islamabad.

On the other hand, live chicken price was around Rs260 per kg in March 2021, and the officials of the food ministry said the PPA was manipulating the prices and was involved in unfair price hike.

Published in Dawn, january 7th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....
Time to deliver
Updated 11 Nov, 2024

Time to deliver

Pakistan must display a serious commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation at home.
Smaller government
11 Nov, 2024

Smaller government

THE IMF bailout programme has put the government under pressure to curtail its spending, especially current...
Unsafe inheritance
11 Nov, 2024

Unsafe inheritance

DESPITE regulations, the troubling practice of robbing women of their rightful inheritance — the culprits are ...