Title: Government Intervention and Market Dynamics: A Look at the Current Poultry Pricing Framework
Tehran – In a recent industry briefing, Mehdi Yousefe Khani, the Secretary of the Union of Poultry Slaughterhouses and Packaging Industries, provided a detailed overview of the current pricing structure for poultry in the Iranian market, highlighting the interplay between regulatory measures and market stability.
Official Pricing and Retail Figures
According to the official report, the current wholesale price for warm chicken at the central market is set between 120,000 to 123,000 Tomans per kilogram. The corresponding retail price for consumers has been established at approximately 135,000 Tomans per kilogram. These figures represent the structured pricing model within the market.
Regulatory Measures and Market Impact
The briefing addressed a specific regulatory measure concerning the issuance of transport permits for live chickens from northern provinces, particularly Mazandaran. Yousefe Khani noted that a restriction on these permits, implemented despite directives from the Ministry of Interior, has created a dual-price scenario in certain areas.
He elaborated that while previously up to 500 trucks daily received permits to transport poultry from Mazandaran to Tehran, the current number has been reduced to a quarter of that figure. This administrative measure, while intended for coordination, has been cited as a factor that complicates market logistics and can create inefficiencies.
Supply Chain and Market Competition
Emphasizing that the majority of Tehran’s live chicken supply originates from Mazandaran, the industry representative explained that the limitation on permits has led to instances where chicken is being bought and sold at approximately 10,000 Tomans per kilo above the officially set price in some channels. This situation, he stated, challenges the principles of uniform market competition.
Market Stability and Frozen Chicken Distribution
Concluding his assessment, Yousefe Khani turned to the topic of supply and demand. He firmly stated that given the current balanced market conditions for warm chicken, there is no present necessity for the distribution of frozen chicken. The market for warm poultry is described as stable and meeting consumer demand effectively, underscoring a successful supply chain management outcome.