KARACHI, Jan 4: Price of poultry live bird has increased by Rs6 to Rs66 from Rs 60 per kg in just three days. The increase was attributed to shortage of birds in Karachi and rising demand in winter and removal of ban on serving meals in wedding receptions.

In the last two months, price of poultry live bird has surged by Rs18 per kg. The live bird was available at Rs48 per kg on November 4.

Central Chairman, Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), Afsar Qadri attributed the price-hike to 30-50 per cent mortality of birds in poultry farms of Karachi, Hub and Thatta due to outbreak of disease in winter.

The demand spurt of poultry product in chilly weather followed by permission of serving meals in wedding reception are also the main reasons of rising prices, he added.

“A sizable quantity of birds is currently arriving from Punjab and interior Sindh to meet the rising demand in the city, which is facing shortage of birds,” Afsar said.

The number of poultry farms in Karachi, Hub and Thatta, that have been hit by disease, could not be known immediately.

PPA chief said that more than 350,000 poultry birds are daily being slaughtered in Karachi to meet the burgeoning demand despite shortage of birds.

He said many people are now investing in setting up of big poultry farms to make quick gains following government’s decision of lifting ban on serving meals in November.

Poultry meat prices has also surged to Rs112-115 per kg from Rs95-100 per kg. Egg prices have also been crawling up since the last two months. On November 4, it was selling at Rs27 per dozen as compared to current price of Rs37 per dozen, up by Rs10 per dozen.

There is a disparity of Rs2 per kg in prices quoted by PPA and Karachi Wholesale Poultry Association (KWPA). PPA has quoted the retail rate of Rs66 per kg for live bird, while KWPA’s rate is Rs64 per kg. Price difference is also seen in poultry meat and egg as KWPA’s rate for meat and egg is Rs112 per kg and Rs36 per dozen, while PPA’s rate is Rs115 per kg and Rs37 per kg.