Poultry products shortage feared

LAHORE:The consumption of poultry products has plummeted and prices crash and broiler farmers have reduced placement of day-old chicks at their farms as a result of which hatcheries almost stopped setting eggs for chick production, claimed a produce body here Monday.

Similarly, egg layers have also been culled, which is already showing signs of short supply of eggs. Until last week, day-old chicks were being sold at Rs2-3 per chick against cost of production of Rs38-40 per chick," said Ch Fargham, Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) (North Region), said in a press statement.

On resumption of businesses and opening of schools, hotels, restaurants, wedding halls, etc. the demand is going to spurt and due to extreme low availability of chicken, prices will shoot up, he mentioned. “If the government intervenes by way of price control, the farmers who have lost during this period will suffer much greater loss and discouragement for resuming production.

Ch Fargham said that sale of generic agriculture and livestock produce prices fluctuate in a free economy of demand and supply interaction. “In the current environment, we do not expect the government to reopen marriage halls, hotels, restaurants, etc. as we fully understand that life of citizens is more important but it is our responsibility to inform the government of what is likely to be in the prospect. He mentioned that electricity had become the second highest input cost in chicken and eggs. In order to avert the losses, the association has requested for reduction in electricity tariffs and deferring recovery of loans.