Chicken prices surge in Karachi, making poultry meat increasingly unaffordable

Chicken prices have witnessed a significant increase in Karachi during October, making poultry meat increasingly difficult

KARACHI: Chicken prices have witnessed a significant increase in Karachi during October, making poultry meat increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens to afford amid rising household expenses.

The price of live chicken has increased by Rs110 per kilogram during the month, climbing from Rs358 to Rs468 per kilogram. Meanwhile, chicken meat has become Rs170 per kilogram more expensive, with its price rising from Rs570 to Rs740 per kilogram.

The sharp increase has placed additional pressure on consumers who rely on chicken as a relatively affordable source of protein. With food prices already affecting household budgets, the latest rise is likely to make it more challenging for low- and middle-income families to manage their daily grocery expenses.

According to the available price figures, live chicken was being sold for Rs358 per kilogram at the beginning of October. However, its price subsequently increased to Rs468 per kilogram, representing a rise of approximately 30.7 per cent within the month.

The price of chicken meat has also increased considerably over the same period. From Rs570 per kilogram, the retail price has climbed to Rs740 per kilogram, marking an increase of nearly 29.8 per cent.

The rising cost of poultry has added to concerns among consumers about the affordability of essential food items. Chicken is widely consumed across Karachi and is commonly included in everyday meals because it is often considered an alternative to more expensive meat options.

However, the latest price increase has reduced that affordability, forcing consumers to reconsider their food purchases and household spending. Families managing limited budgets may have to reduce their consumption of chicken or look for less expensive alternatives to meet their nutritional needs.

The increase has also highlighted a difference between the prevailing market prices and the rates listed by the city administration.

According to the commissioner’s official price list, live chicken is priced at Rs456 per kilogram, while chicken meat is listed at Rs685 per kilogram.

The reported market prices are therefore higher than the official rates. Live chicken at Rs468 per kilogram is Rs12 above the listed price, while chicken meat selling at Rs740 per kilogram is Rs55 more expensive than the official rate.

This gap has raised questions about the implementation of officially notified prices and the extent to which consumers can purchase poultry products at the rates announced by the administration.

For consumers, the difference between official and prevailing market prices can further complicate efforts to manage daily expenses. Even modest increases in the prices of frequently purchased food items can significantly affect families that must carefully allocate their monthly income.

The latest figures also demonstrate the speed at which poultry prices have risen during October. An increase of Rs170 per kilogram in chicken meat within a single month represents a substantial additional expense for households that purchase the product regularly.

Although the available figures establish the scale of the price increase, they do not identify its specific causes. Further information would be required to determine whether factors such as supply constraints, transportation expenses, feed costs or other market conditions contributed to the rise.

For now, Karachi consumers are facing higher poultry prices, while the difference between official rates and market prices remains a concern. The situation has renewed attention on food affordability and the need for effective price monitoring to protect consumers from excessive costs.