Chicken Retailers Announce Strike, Reject Government Rates
The Sindh Poultry and Retailer Association has announced a strike on Thursday
Karachi, March 6, 2025 – The Sindh Poultry and Retailer Association has announced a strike on Thursday, stating that selling chicken meat at government-fixed rates is not feasible.
According to the association’s president, Rao Muhammad Afzal, poultry farms are violating official price regulations. Instead of supplying live chicken at the government-fixed rate of PKR 400 per kg, they are providing it at PKR 490 per kg.
He explained that retailers are purchasing chicken meat at PKR 780 per kg, making it impossible to sell at the government-mandated price of PKR 640 per kg.
Afzal further stated that the city administration is taking unilateral action against retailers, imposing fines of up to PKR 100,000 on shopkeepers.
He accused poultry farmers of hoarding live chicken to artificially create a shortage and drive up prices.
Due to these circumstances, the association has announced a city-wide shutdown of poultry shops starting Thursday.
He emphasized that the strike would continue until poultry farmers comply with government pricing regulations and ensure supply at official rates.
It is important to note that on Wednesday, the Karachi Commissioner fixed the retail price of chicken meat at PKR 640 per kg, but in the market, it was being sold for up to PKR 750 per kg.
Earlier, poultry farmers had assured the Karachi Commissioner that live chicken prices would be below PKR 400 during Ramadan, but this commitment has not been honored.
On the other hand, poultry farmers argue that increased demand and reduced production have disrupted the supply-demand balance, causing prices to rise.
