ISLAMABAD : The prices of poultry products particularly eggs witnessed sharp increase in the retail markets and reached Rs 98-100 per dozen. The price hike in eggs was due to smuggling of chicken products to Afghanistan, Iran and some other countries, where high prices are offered comparatively. While commenting on the situation, President PPA, Dr Hassan said that hike in egg prices were demand driven as the demand for the commodity registered swift increase as compared to the last month.
He informed that egg market was a seasonal market and demand for domestic use consumption was also increased due to change in weather and beginning of cold weather in the twin cities. He further informed that the egg consumption reduces in the summer season as as people avoid to take egg in their daily meals and consequently farmers also reduced their production, he added. Hassan Sarosh said that new layer will start production by next month (October)which will help to bridge the demand supply gap and bring down the prices of eggs. He further said that chicken prices after witnessing soaring behavior in the open market also registered decreasing trend in their prices and it came down to Rs.114 from Rs. 160-170 per Kg in the local market. Meanwhile commenting on egg price hike, official of Poultry Research institute (PRI) said that new layer would start production by October which will help to ease the prices of the commodity. He said that about 500 layer farms including 166 of Rawalpindi, 89 farms of Islamabad and other in Murree and surrounding areas will start their optimal production during next month. He further said that about 4-5 percent eggs will also be received from the broiler market besides obtaining locally produced (dasi-eggs).