KARACHI, Jan 21: Although the city weather has improved and apparently the demand for poultry items has reduced, chicken prices have shot up suddenly.

The prices which had gone down to Rs48 a kilogram in retail after touching Rs64 during the chilly days were raised by the Karachi Wholesalers Poultry Association on Monday and were as high as Rs66 a kilo in most city markets on Tuesday.

The association normally revises rates every Thursday. But during the past month it did not stick to its schedule and raised the rates as and when the situation demanded.

“Actually, when they have to lower the prices, they wait for Thursday, but when they want to increase them, they make the announcement immediately,” said Mubarak Ali, a local dealer in Korangi, on Tuesday. A customer, a PCO owner, at the shop said: “What else is in control in Pakistan, sir? You are talking about chicken, look at the roads, how shabby they are.”

When attempt was made to contact to know the reason for this sudden price hike, the association office in Empress Market could not be reached by telephone on Tuesday evening. The telephone numbers of the Pakistan Poultry Association (Sindh) also did not respond.

Empress Market is probably the cheapest market in the city for poultry items. But here too the difference is not more than Rs2 on a kilogram.

“If somebody gives chicken at rates lower than Rs62 a kilo, for example, suspect his intention. Either he is giving you lesser weight or is cheating you otherwise,” said Nasrullah Khan, a retailer.

Even during the peak demand days of Eid-ul-Fitr, the prices ranged from Rs52 to Rs54 a kilogram. Now the prices may come down by Eid-ul-Azha as people would have lots of beef.

This time the hike is difficult to explain as prices come down when the temperature rises.

“A lot of chickens die in cold weather. No poultry farmer can afford the loss caused by the mass deaths. Lacking perfect heating arrangements, many farmers shut down their farms for the season,” said a dealer and expert in chicken matters.— NA