Scarcity drives poultry price hikes in Soroti

A decline in supply has driven the prices of poultry up in Soroti town. 

A layer that was sold at sh13,000 now goes for sh15,000, while the price of a cock has shot up to sh18,000 from sh15,000 in a fortnight.

The price for a gobbler (male turkey) has risen from sh45,000 to sh50,000 and a hen turkey now goes for sh30,000 up from sh27,000.

Speaking to New Vision, Jane Imalingat, the chairperson of the chicken section at Soroti Main Market said, the price for a duck has gone up from sh12,000 to sh15,000

She blamed the rising prices to shortage of broilers in poultry farms.

"People sold all the poultry they had during famine and this has sharply affected the supply of these birds in the market" Imalingat noted.

Ricard Enou another dealer noted that a rise in prices has turned away potential customers hence affecting their business.

He is worried that most businessmen engaged in this kind of business are likely to quit.