The cost of live poultry and chicken meat in Karachi has fallen, mainly due to halted trade with Afghanistan. However, restaurant prices for chicken dishes remain high, leaving consumers waiting for relief.
Chicken prices in Karachi have gone down after the border with Afghanistan was closed. It stopped the trade of live birds, eggs, and feed to Afghanistan, said the Sindh Poultry Wholesalers Association (SPWA).
- Live birds now cost Rs350-370 per kg. In September, they were Rs460-540 per kg.
- Boneless chicken meat is Rs700-800 per kg, down from Rs1,000-1,100.
- Poultry meat with giblets is Rs400-480 per kg, while clean meat sells at Rs530-580.
Consumer Reactions and Concerns
The drop in chicken rates have surprised some shoppers. They worry that it might be due to a disease among the birds. However, SPWA’s Kamal Akhtar Siddiqui clarified that there is no disease. He added that price differences at shops may happen because the quality of birds and their meat varies across markets.
Market Prices vs. Restaurant Prices
Even though chicken prices fell in markets, restaurants have not reduced their prices. Chicken karahi still costs Rs2,000-2,200 per kg, which is thrice the price of a live bird. Other dishes like chicken tikka, broasted chicken, and seekh kebab also remain high.
SPWA General Secretary Kamal Akhtar Siddiqui said prices fell because of the border closure and overproduction at farms. He added that chicken is still more affordable than mutton or beef. Mutton costs Rs2,300-2,500 per kg, and veal (bachia) meat is Rs1,400-1,600 per kg.
Official rates set by the commissioner on November 23 are Rs288 per kg for live birds and Rs435 for meat without giblets. Many retail shops, however, are not following these prices. Mr. Siddiqui urged the Karachi commissioner to make sure restaurants lower their chicken dish prices so consumers benefit from the lower chicken rates.
