Rein in chicken prices, Balkh mayor asked

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Residents of northern Balkh province complain about a dramatic surge in chicken prices.

They are urging the government to control the rate as one kilogram of chicken meat has shot up to 300afs from 160afs in a short period of time.

Ibrahim, an inhabitant of Mazar-i-Sharif, said he previously bought a kilogram of chicken meat for 150afs, but the rate has now jumped to 280afs.

Milad, another resident of the provincial capital, also complained the poultry price had increased inordinately and the government should control it.

He added: “The price of one kilogram of chicken has spiked to 300 afghanis, beef to 400afs and mutton 450ags. The government should rein in the rates.”

Ahmad Shah, a poultry dealer, argued poultry farms had been shut in the province and the government had restricted chicken imports from other provinces. Prices, therefore, had soared, he argued

Two weeks ago, the Balkh Municipality had set the price of one kilogram of chicken at 200afs, a decision that triggered reactions and chicken sellers closed their shops in protest for one week.

Javed Yousafi, a chicken meat seller in Mazar-i-Sharif, said the municipality had set the price without a thorough assessment. He claimed one kilogram of chicken cost sellers 250afs.

Mayor Maulvi Naqibullah Tariq confirmed they had fixed the price of one kilogram of chicken at 200afs, but the decision inflicted losses on sellers.

He said they were working on a strategy enabling people to purchase meat at a reasonable price and preventing losses for sellers. According to him, the meat price will be set at 250 afs.

sa/mud