Poultry and meat prices increase across the country

Lahore residents are feeling the pinch again as the cost of chicken, eggs, and other meats climbs higher. 

According to market sources, the price of broiler (chicken) meat has increased by Rs8 per kg, which has almost continuously increased the price of poultry to the current level of Rs 548 per kg, further straining household budgets. Prices of eggs are also steadily increasing. It was only a couple of weeks ago that the eggs were sold at approximately Rs215 a dozen; currently, they fetch about Rs245 a dozen.

This gradual rise complicates the ability of the low- and middle-income families to meet their daily needs. On top of that, mutton and beef are selling well above the official notified rates. According to market reports, mutton is now retailed at the range of Rs3200 to Rs3500 per kg, which is much higher than the mutton ceiling set by the government.

On the same note, although the official price of beef stands at Rs 800 / kg, the retailers are selling beef at Rs1400 / kg in most areas of the city. This is criticised by consumers who claim that the weekly government price lists have no real effect at the retail level since there is still a higher amount to be charged by shopkeepers.

Analysts attribute the surge to increasing input prices, strain in the supply-chain, and lax implementation of price controls. The ever-increasing poultry and meat prices are contributing to inflation concerns and rendering simple food stuffs significantly more expensive to common people in Lahore.