Idlib – Samah Alloush
The markets in Idlib city, northern Syria, have witnessed a significant decrease in chicken meat prices, accompanied by a noticeable increase in demand among residents, who now consider it a staple food item given the high cost of red meat in comparison.
After touring the city’s markets and chicken shops, Enab Baladi observed increased consumer demand. According to vendor Firas, the recent price drop has encouraged residents to take advantage of the opportunity by purchasing larger quantities and storing them in refrigerators—especially with electricity currently available in the city—and due to the high prices of lamb and veal, which have reached nearly ten and eight US dollars per kilo, respectively.
The price of a kilo of whole chicken is about 85 Turkish liras, equivalent to roughly two dollars (one dollar equals approximately 40 Turkish liras).
The Turkish lira and the US dollar are the most commonly used currencies in Idlib and across northwestern Syria.
In June, the price of chicken exceeded 100 Turkish liras (around $2.50), with boneless breast reaching 140 liras (approximately $3.50), and thighs and wings priced at 70 liras (less than $2).
According to several vendors in the market, the price of chicken dropped this July by approximately $500 per ton, having previously exceeded $2,000 per ton. In recent months, it decreased to $1,800, and currently stands at $1,350.
Reasons for the Price Drop
Omar Sayid Issa, the manager of al-Yamama Poultry Slaughterhouse in Idlib, told Enab Baladi that the price decline is due to two main reasons. The first is the influx of imported frozen chicken, which competes with the local product in price, despite its poor quality. The low price has driven consumers to prefer it over the local alternative.
The second reason is the increase in local production, particularly after the fall of the former Syrian regime. Several poultry farms that had been shut down resumed production due to improved conditions and greater connectivity between areas.
Regarding price differences between provinces, Sayid Issa explained that prices are fairly balanced across regions, with no major discrepancies. Minor differences may be due to transportation costs, distances, and labor wages.
Conversely, Khaled al-Azzo, a chicken shop owner in Idlib, said that prices do vary between rural areas and the city, primarily due to higher rental costs in urban centers. As a result, some vendors raise prices slightly to ensure a profit margin that covers rent and basic living needs.
Farmers Are Losing
Sayid Issa described the price drop as “catastrophic,” noting substantial losses for poultry farmers, as the decreased prices fail to cover the actual cost of raising chickens.
Furthermore, an uptick in poultry diseases has increased mortality rates in some farms to nearly 30%, further raising the cost per chicken and amplifying the losses for farmers.
Egg Prices Are High
Despite the drop in chicken prices, egg prices have risen. The price of one tray (30 eggs) has reached 120 Turkish liras (about $3), after being under 100 liras (approximately $2.50) last month.
Sayid Issa explained that egg prices are not directly linked to chicken meat prices, as layer farms are separate from broiler farms, with each operating as an independent unit.
The main reason behind the increase in egg prices is the decline in production among laying hens, due to a recent surge in disease outbreaks affecting poultry farmers.
In some farms, production has dropped by over 50%, alongside high mortality rates, with expectations of further declines in output. This is expected to reduce egg availability in the market, driving up demand and prices.
While residents in the city benefit from the lower chicken prices, the cost of essential food items continues to rise significantly. Moreover, rent prices have also increased, placing an additional burden on families—especially as many remain displaced from rural areas and are unable to rehabilitate their destroyed homes due to financial constraints.
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