The prices of red meat are already very high and the people who depended on white meat have now left with no option but to cook vegetables and lentils.

A shopper at poultry shop said chicken was the only commodity which people could buy and afford because of its low price. But, now, he said, "We are unable to purchase chicken meat due to its high rates".

Aqeel, a resident of Shamsabad said he used to bring chicken meat thrice a week but now he cannot afford within limited income.

A wholesale dealer said poultry cartel is active behind poultry prices. They fix poultry rates on daily basis. "We are at their mercy and the district administration is paying no heed to this end," he added.

A shopkeeper at Aabpara Market said hundreds of thousands of chicken have died due to the rising temperature. As a result, the chicken supply has dropped, where as demand for white meat is already up because prices of red meat is high," he said.

Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) attributed the steep rise in price of the commodity due to upsurge in its demand during fortnight.

High prices have resulted in less domestic consumption of the poultry meat as it had negative impact on the buying capacity of a common consumer.