The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a fine of Rs155 million on eight leading poultry hatcheries for engaging in cartelization and price-fixing, which led to a staggering 346% increase in day-old chick (DOC) prices, significantly driving up the retail cost of chicken for consumers.
Acting on suo motu notice, the CCP launched an inquiry into the DOC market, uncovering coordinated efforts by the hatcheries to manipulate prices. The companies penalized include Sadiq Poultry, Hi-Tech Group, Islamabad Group, Olympia Group, Jadeed Group, Supreme Farms (Seasons Group), Big Bird Group, and Sabir’s Group.
According to the CCP’s findings, the cartel operated primarily through a WhatsApp group titled “Chick Rate Announcement.” The group was managed by a senior official of Big Bird Group, with its Marketing Manager, Dr. Shahid, responsible for coordinating and disseminating daily price updates.
The hatcheries were found to have issued uniform DOC prices across Punjab, with slight freight-based adjustments extending the influence to markets in Multan and Karachi. From 2019 to 2021, next-day prices were shared approximately 198 times—108 times via text messages and 87 times through WhatsApp.
The CCP highlighted that from March 2020 to April 2021, the price of day-old chicks surged from Rs17.92 to Rs79.92 each, a 346% increase. This artificial inflation directly impacted poultry meat prices across the country.
