The price of chicken in the Kurdistan Region has surged in recent days, leaving poultry owners facing significant financial pressure. The rising chicken prices are hitting poultry farmers hard, as costs outpace what sellers can charge in the market.
According to Nazim Abdulla, head of the Poultry Owners Association, the price of one kilogram of live chicken has jumped to 2,150 dinars. He explained that this increase comes after just a few days of steady market fluctuations. Abdulla emphasized that the rising chicken prices are creating losses for poultry owners across the region because selling rates cannot keep up.
Three days ago, one kilogram of chicken sold for approximately 3,500 dinars, showing how volatile the market has become. Abdulla added, “Ten days ago, we expected the price of one kilogram to stabilize between 2,150 and 2,250 dinars. Unfortunately, the market has remained unstable, causing harm to poultry owners.”
The lack of a structured market system and absence of government support are further complicating the situation. Poultry owners continue to struggle to sell their produce at fair rates. Abdulla also noted that disease outbreaks, including viral infections, and the sale of frozen or processed chicken in regional markets, contribute to the rising chicken prices.
The Ministry of Agriculture in the Kurdistan Region reports that local farmers raise over 105 million chickens annually, producing roughly 250,000 tons of meat. Despite this volume, fluctuations in supply and demand keep prices unpredictable, affecting both producers and consumers.
Official data obtained from Abdulla shows that 1,985 poultry farms are registered in the Kurdistan Region, but around 800 unlicensed operations continue to operate without official oversight. These unregistered farms further complicate pricing and market stability.
Experts warn that unless the Kurdistan Region implements measures to regulate poultry production, monitor prices, and support farmers, the rising chicken prices will continue to hurt local poultry owners. The repeated increase in chicken prices signals the urgent need for policy intervention and market regulation.