Amidst surging chicken prices, the government is contemplating a ban on chick exports as a measure to stabilize the market, sources from the food ministry revealed.
Sources from the food ministry indicate that a proposal for this ban has been drafted and forwarded to the cabinet for approval. If implemented, the ban could potentially lower chicken prices by Rs 200, according to insiders.
Citing the current shortage of chicks, sources emphasized the necessity of halting exports, emphasizing that items are typically exported only when there’s a surplus.
The post-Eid period witnessed a drastic hike in chicken prices across various regions, with rates reaching as high as Rs 780 per kg.
Meanwhile, Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), attributes the price hike to the dynamics of supply and demand. He highlights the rising input costs and business expenses across the poultry industry, exacerbating the market crisis.
Ashraf notes the adverse impact of the crisis on small businesses, with many forced to shut down operations.