A sharp increase in prices of chicken and eggs was witnessed due to non-availability of sufficient stock in the markets, reports Business Recorder.

The survey noted that price of chicken meat has been increased at Rs.166 per kg from Rs.110 per kg during the last four days in the wholesale and retail market. While, chicken alive is being sold at Rs.250-260 against the preceding week rate of Rs.200.

Similarly eggs’ prices also shot up from Rs.110 to Rs.130 per dozen in the open market.

The dealers and local district administration had unanimously fixed rates of poultry with minimum rates in wake of surplus stock of chicken in the markets six months ago.

Peshawar High Court also took a suo motu notice against the high prices of chicken in market and imposed ban on export of poultry products and cattle to Afghanistan.

“We are forced to quit business as a number of poultry farm closed down due to facing immense financial losses," said Haji Jhangariz, a wholesaler and owner of poultry farm. He said that dealers are compelled to sell chicken at prices fixed by the district administration for the last three to four months. Because of this, 50 per cent poultry farm have been closed down due to growing financial losses.

“The closure of a large number of farms causes huge shortages of poultry products in wholesale and open markets”, he added.