Deir Ezzor – Obadah al-Sheikh

Markets in the Deir Ezzor governorate and its countryside in eastern Syria have witnessed a significant increase in demand for imported frozen chicken due to its lower price, coinciding with rising prices for live chicken.

The stalls for selling frozen chicken have increased as it has become an option for consumers with limited income. The price of a frozen chicken has reached 35,000 Syrian pounds (3.5 USD), a kilogram of breast at 22,000, and a kilogram of “daboos” (the piece attached to the thigh) at 21,000.

In contrast, the price of live chicken has reached 29,000 Syrian pounds per kilogram, 45,000 for the breast, and 40,000 for “daboos.”

Many consumers expressed their satisfaction with the availability of imported frozen chicken as an economic alternative to live chicken during the month of Ramadan, while others preferred fresh live chicken, considering its quality and taste to be better.

On the other hand, Rabi’ al-Hamidi, a seller of live chicken in Deir Ezzor, stated that his sales have declined by more than 70% at the beginning of Ramadan, as people have turned to frozen chicken.

This was confirmed by chicken distributor Majed al-Kanass, who told Enab Baladi that most shops specializing in selling live chicken have seen a decrease in demand since the beginning of Ramadan.

He attributed the decline to the flooding of the markets with frozen chicken at lower prices, coupled with the weak purchasing power of families and the rising cost of basic goods compared to daily income.

Health risks warning

Frozen chicken carries health risks for humans; preservatives can lead to digestive disorders and heart and stomach diseases, in addition to not knowing the duration of freezing (a month, a week, or more), according to Raed al-Faraj, a doctor from Deir Ezzor.

The doctor added to Enab Baladi that poor storage and freezing increase the dangers, as this can cause intestinal infections or stomach bacteria, noting that some countries inject chicken with hormones and substances that can lead to high blood pressure in humans.

According to reports from Enab Baladi‘s correspondent, the stalls selling frozen chicken have increased on the sidewalks and in front of shops, witnessing crowds from families during the current month of Ramadan.

Ruwa Baaj, a resident of Deir Ezzor, emphasized the need for strict standards for the quality of imported frozen chicken to ensure consumer safety, considering that its entry into the markets has opened the door for a large segment of families to buy chicken after it was previously out of reach.