The prices increased due to rise in demand with no increase in poultry supply. Now the supply of live chicken in the market has increased, reducing its retail price to Rs 165 per kilogram, he added.
Dr Hassan told APP that the poultry farmers incurred losses due to over-production during last one and a half year. As a result, most of the poultry farms were shut down, causing shortage of the product. Due to less supply in the market, the prices went up, he added.
He said now the closed farms had been reopened and started breeding chickens. Resultantly, the production would increase, which bridge the demand-supply gap bringing the price to normal range, he hoped.
Replying to a question about high egg prices, Dr Hassan said there was high demand for eggs due to prolonged winter season because rains.
PPA Secretary General Dr Bashir Mahmood attributed price hike to less poultry production due to energy crisis, and high prices of feed and medicine.