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Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chicken cost skyrockets even after Eid
The rates of chicken have skyrocketed in the open markets of Rawalpindi city even after passing of Eidul Fitr, sending a wave of resentment among buyers. Chicken meat is being sold at Rs950 per kilogramme in the city and Rs1,000 per kg in the surrounding areas. Live chickens is priced at Rs650 per kg in the city and Rs670 in the suburbs. There is no one to question the vendors about these prices. The government's claims about reducing inflation have fallen flat, and the rising prices of chicken in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi show no signs of decreasing. A boycott campaign against buying chicken has proven ineffective, failing to achieve any success. The local Poultry Association states that the high demand for chicken in the market isn't being met with sufficient supply. Since the night before Eid, chicken demand has tripled across hotels, motels, barbecue shops, dhaba, and food streets, but the supply has not increased to meet this demand. According to Khurshid Abbasi, the vice president of the Poultry Association, the prices of chicken will not decrease until the supply increases. The cost of chicken feed, medicines, and other essentials has risen by up to 300%, he adds. Citizens Faisal Ali and Bahzad Ali complain that chicken prices have remained out of control since the night before Eid. The market committee sets the official price of chicken at Rs412 per kg but remains silent, while price control magistrates seem completely powerless in controlling the prices. The Chairman of the Price Control Committee, who has set the official price of Rs412 per kg, must ensure that chicken is sold at this price, or else resign, says another citizen Noor Zaman. He adds the entire government structure is based on lies. If the Prime Minister claims inflation is at just 1.5%, the Price Control and Market Committees continue to claim that chicken prices are under control. The price of watermelon is Rs20 per kg in cities, and Rs5 to Rs10 per kg in rural areas. Bur during the Eid holidays, watermelon was sold for Rs120 per kg. Sugar, with a government-set price of Rs164 per kg, is being sold in the market for Rs180 per kg. Due to the massive discrepancy between official and market prices, the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) has stopped setting official prices for ghee, sugar, and flour altogether.
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Price surge continues even after Ramazan
Inflation in Rawalpindi has spiralled out of control, and essential food items like broiler chicken, beef, and mutton are beyond the reach of the working class. No market in the city appears to be following the official price list, forcing citizens to pay inflated prices. Despite a week having passed since Eidul Fitr, prices of poultry, beef, and mutton in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have not come down. The government rate for live broiler chicken is Rs412 per kilogramme, but it is being sold in the open market for Rs540 to Rs580 per kilogramme. Broiler meat is being sold at Rs880 to Rs900 per kilogramme. While the government has only fixed the price of live chickennot its meatthose rates too are not being implemented anywhere. Similarly, beef is officially priced at Rs800 per kilogramme but is selling for Rs1,400 to Rs1,500 in urban areas, and up to Rs1,600 in surrounding localities. The official rate for mutton is Rs1,600 per kilogramme, yet it is being sold for Rs2,200 to Rs2,300 in the open market. Milk is selling for Rs220 per litre, and yoghurt for Rs240. Among vegetables, potatoes are priced at Rs70 per kilogramme, onions Rs80, tomatoes Rs150, peas Rs200, okra Rs400, lemons Rs400, cauliflower Rs80, cucumbers Rs50, taro root Rs200, and green chillies Rs200. Among fruits, apples are being sold for Rs300 to Rs400 per kilogramme, bananas for Rs250 to Rs300 per dozen, sweet oranges and malta for Rs600 per dozen, watermelon at Rs100 per kilogramme, pomegranates at Rs400, grapes between Rs350 and Rs500, melons at Rs150 to Rs200, strawberries for Rs200, and cantaloupes at Rs150 per kilogramme. Residents expressed deep concern over the surging prices. They stated that while the government issues official price lists, commodities are not available at those rates. According to Zahid Abbas Abbasi, a representative of the Poultry Retailers Association, it is a welcome step by the Punjab chief minister to fix prices for live chicken across the province. However, he stressed that the government must also regulate rates at the wholesale market level. Zahid Abbas Abbasi added that while the step to regulate live chicken prices is appreciated, the government should lower farm and wholesale market rates as well, since it is impossible to sell expensive poultry at Rs412 per kilogramme. The local Poultry Association states that the high demand for chicken in the market isn't being met with sufficient supply. Since the night before Eid, chicken demand has tripled across hotels, motels, barbecue shops, dhaba, and food streets, but the supply has not increased to meet this demand. According to Khurshid Abbasi, the vice president of the Poultry Association, the prices of chicken will not decrease until the supply increases. The cost of chicken feed, medicines, and other essentials has risen by up to 300%, he adds. The market committee sets the official price of chicken at Rs412 per kg but remains silent, while price control magistrates seem completely powerless in controlling the prices.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chicken prices skyrocket ahead of Eid
On the eve of Eidul Fitr, broiler chicken prices in the open market have surged to an all-time high, reaching the most expensive levels in the country's history. Meanwhile, all 60 price control magistrates have gone on Eid leave, and Ramazan sasta bazaars have shut down, allowing retailers to manipulate prices at will. In the wholesale market, the price of chicken soared to Rs22,000 per 40 kg, compared to its usual range of Rs13,000 to Rs15,000. In retail, live chicken was being sold at Rs600 per kg, while chicken meat was priced at Rs1,100 per kg in the inner city and Rs1,200 per kg in suburban areasmaking chicken unaffordable for many. According to Poultry Association Vice President Khurshid Abbasi, the spike in prices is due to low supply and three times higher demand than usual. He claimed that prices would decrease once supply improves. However, residents, including Naveed and Arshad Khan, accused government officials of being involved in the poultry business and deliberately orchestrating the price hike. Meanwhile, fruit and vegetable prices have also spiraled out of control. Lemons are being sold at Rs350 per kg, Coriander (small bunch) at Rs50, Bananas at Rs350 per dozen, Apples at Rs400 per kg, Oranges at Rs600 per dozen, Pomegranates at Rs400 per kg, and Grapes at Rs350-500 per kg. Residents lamented that despite the skyrocketing prices, price control authorities, including the deputy commissioner and assistant commissioners, remain silent, leaving consumers at the mercy of market exploitation.
