Market analysts for Pakistan are predicting a declining trend in the prices of poultry and poultry products in the markets of various districts of Punjab, due largely to the end of wedding season and a rising mercury trend which have caused demand to weaken.
During the last two weeks of March, prices of live broilers averaged Rs 117.50 (US$2.63) per kilogram in the Faisalabad district and Rs 131 (US$2.93) per kilogram in the Multan district. Prices also increased slightly in Lahore and Rawalpindi, but the expectation of reduced production has led analysts to predict an upcoming price drop. Market sources said a major indication of the coming trend is a steep decline in the price of day-old broiler chicks in various Punjab districts. As of April 4, the price of day-old broiler chicks dropped by Rs 10–12 (US$0.22–$0.27) and is hovering around Rs 23–30 (US$0.51–$0.67) per chick.
The average price of eggs also reduced by almost Rs 5 (US$0.11) per dozen in the Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan districts, in keeping with the expected trend.
