Poultry prices in Lahore and other cities in Punjab have seen a sharp increase, with chicken meat now selling at an unprecedented Rs800 per kg across the region, including in Rawalpindi.
Over the weekend, the cost of chicken live bird in cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi climbed to between Rs584 and Rs595 per kg, compared to Rs550 per kg just last week. While official rates currently list chicken at Rs584 per kg, many vendors are charging around Rs600 per kg.
Despite the district government setting an official rate of Rs591 per kg, these prices are not being strictly adhered to.
The increase in chicken prices is mainly driven by supply and demand dynamics, with poultry shop owners pointing to rising production costs and market fluctuations as contributing factors.
Although chicken is generally an affordable protein source, this recent spike has drawn criticism, especially as consumers had hoped for some relief in food prices amid broader economic trends.
