Kobani… Rising Chicken Prices Exacerbate Pressure on Residents and Paralyze Restaurants and Shops' Activity

Welat TV– Erbil

Markets in Kobani are witnessing a sharp and unprecedented rise in meat prices. The price of a kilogram of live chicken has exceeded 410 New Syrian pounds, amid declining purchasing power and difficulties in controlling prices in local markets.

Rising Production Costs

Poultry farm owners attributed the sharp price increase to rising production costs, particularly feed prices, and to higher import costs for chicks, given the reliance on imports paid for in foreign currency.

They explained that this increase in production costs has placed additional burdens on farmers and affected their ability to maintain production at levels commensurate with market demand.

Restaurants Face a Sharp Drop in Sales

The repercussions of rising chicken prices have extended to the restaurant sector in Kobani, which relies heavily on poultry meat in the meals it serves. Restaurants have seen a noticeable decline in customer traffic and demand, with daily sales falling to very low levels, leaving many owners struggling to cover operating expenses and employee wages.

The ongoing slump has led to the permanent closure of many restaurants, while others are considering closing if prices continue to rise at current levels.

Chicken No Longer an Affordable Choice

For their part, chicken shop owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the continuous price rise, emphasizing that current prices are now beyond the means of a large segment of consumers, which has affected sales volume.

Although chicken was once considered an alternative to red meat, many families now find it difficult to afford it due to challenging living and economic conditions in the region. This has led to a further decline in sales.