Lahore: Vice Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association (Northern Region) Raja Attique-ur-Rehman Abbassi said that poultry sector is still in a phase of crisis and government’s intervention in controlling the prices may further worsen the scenario.
IN a press briefingon Monday Abbassi said that poultry is one of the most organized branches of the agro-based sector of Pakistan. The prices of chicken products are determined purely on market supply demand basis. This is how at times the prices of chicken products are below the input costs incurred by the farmers and they are compelled to sell their commodity at a price lower than their cost of production and so bear the losses, he said.
This phenomenon of low and high prices help farmers to achieve an average yearly price, which may be slightly better than his input cost, where he is able to make some profit provided his efficiency stays good, he added.
Today, Pakistan Poultry has an annual turnover of over Rs800 billion, gives employment to over 1.5 million people directly and indirectly. “Employment in poultry is generated at every village level in a much defused manner like giving jobs around their household. Pakistan is producing 1322 million kilograms of chicken meat and 17500 million table eggs annually”, Abbassi said.
Cost of production of chicken meat is Rs180 and it increases when it reaches to market it costs around Rs265. It is noticed that 30-35% of the farms have been closed due loss being faced by poultry farmers during last months, he added.
Prices of Vegetables and pluses including Ginger, Garlic Tomato etc have increased many times during last months and pulses are being sold for more than Rs200 – Rs.300 per kg. Then there arise a question that why only chicken meat rates are being targeted by government, he asked.
Cost of production of Poultry products includes 75% of the total poultry feed. During last year demand of chicken meat has been reduced to 30-35% due to which poultry farmers are depressed and Industry is facing a loss of millions of Rupees.
Pakistan Poultry Association have warned many times the government not to intervene in fixation of prices otherwise it will result in shortage of chicken meat and closure of farms. “We also noticed mutton and beef are being sold at very high rates. We hoped that government will look into the matter and will find some appropriate solution, else the whole country will face extreme shortage of chicken meat and eggs”, he added.
