ISLAMABAD:  While the prices of farm products have slightly eased after the first winter rain, the following cold wave has caused a surge in the prices of poultry products.

As a result of rain and cloudy weather in the region for the past two days and the temperature dropping two degrees below the Celsius in the federal capital, the demand for chicken and eggs has surged significantly.

The farm eggs have already reached their highest level of last year which was Rs116 a dozen, and the distributors have started indicating the short supply due to heavy demand.

“The eggs have already attained last year’s highest price level and the real cold is starting now,” said Mohammad Usman, a bakery owner in Rawalpindi. He said that the demand was increasing from the customers whereas they were facing problems maintaining the stocks.

The domestic consumption has increased while the demand from the commercial side has also jacked up.

“People establish soup stalls and we see young boys selling boiled eggs at various places mainly at the bus stands and tourist areas and all this actually double the demand for the eggs,” Dr Muhammad Aslam, Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association, said and added: “The main problem is that the egg production drops in cold weather.”

The traders estimate that the egg prices could reach Rs120 per dozen in the coming days as they were facing tight supply position.

Similarly, the live chicken has reached Rs150 and Rs160 per kilogram at various markets in the twin cities with an average increase of around Rs20 per kilogram. The market players have attributed this rise in poultry prices to the supply and demand imbalance.

“Pakistan produces 15 million poultry chickens a week but several mortalities have been reported due to cold in Potohar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, whereas the demand has surged,” Dr Aslam said.

The poultry market news is not welcoming for the consumers however the situation is different for the buyers of green groceries.

The recent rain and cold has significantly improved the quality of the vegetables including spinach, mustard, turnip, carrots, radish, and beet root while their supply position has also got better. The lovers of fresh fruit and vegetables of twin cities thronged the Sunday bazaars of Rawalpindi and federal capital not only to enjoy the warm sunny day but also to hit the best bargain.

The supply and quality of farm products are expected to improve further if the rains continue with adequate intervals.