Significant Increase in Chicken Meat Prices Across Pakistan

The price of chicken meat has surged drastically, with the cost of 1 kilogram now ranging from 750 to approximately 900 Pakistani Rupees across various cities. In February, chicken meat was priced between 600 to 650 rupees per kilogram, but the prices began climbing during Ramadan, reaching 700 rupees, and in some cities, even touching 745 rupees.

With the onset of Eid in April, there has been another substantial increase in chicken prices, with a rise of around 150 rupees. This sudden hike in prices has raised questions, and experts point to a few key factors responsible for the surge.

According to Major (Retd) Javed Hussain Bukhari, former Secretary of the Punjab Poultry Association, the primary cause for the rise in chicken prices is the increased cost of poultry feed. He explained that the shortage of chicks (the basic unit of the poultry industry) has contributed to this rise, as the cost of chicks had already increased significantly, and now, expensive chicks are also in limited supply. This shortage is expected to impact the new stock of chickens as well. He further urged a reduction in the price of poultry feed, particularly soybean, which is a vital component of chicken feed. Although the price of soybean has decreased from 230 rupees per kilogram to 180 rupees, poultry feed prices have not reflected this decrease.

In Islamabad’s F-8 sector, chicken shop owner Tariq Mehmood elaborated on the multiple factors behind the price hike, including expensive feed, high chick prices, the wedding season, and the onset of summer. He pointed out that retailers are now paying 520 to 530 rupees per kilogram for live chickens, while the selling price of chicken meat has surged to 900 rupees per kilogram. Tariq also mentioned that the price of chicks has escalated from 50 to 70 rupees two months ago to 200 to 250 rupees now, contributing to the overall price increase.

Meat merchants have noted that, alongside the wedding season, the demand for chicken has significantly risen, meaning that the prices are unlikely to decrease for the next two months. The possibility of a price drop might occur after Eid al-Adha, but for now, high chicken prices are expected to persist.

Mohammad Ajmal, a chicken meat trader for the past 15 years, stated that, typically, chicken prices increase during the winter season due to higher demand. However, this recent spike is due to the rising costs of chicks and poultry feed. With both of these costs increasing, it was inevitable for the price of chicken to go up. Currently, the price of chicken meat is around 870 rupees per kilogram, leading some customers to compare it to the price of beef, as the price gap between the two has decreased. Despite the high prices, those who prefer chicken remain undeterred by the increased cost and continue purchasing it.

In conclusion, experts predict that the high chicken meat prices are likely to persist for the time being, influenced by factors such as rising input costs, seasonal demand, and the ongoing wedding season.