Providing the much needed respite from skyrocketing price of pulses, the chicken price has dropped significantly in the last couple of weeks.
A kg of live chicken is being sold between Rs. 40 and Rs. 50 at wholesale outlets in the city as against Rs. 70 to Rs. 80 a month ago. The meat is priced between Rs. 75 and Rs. 80 a kilogram.
Factors like increased production and low consumption have caused retail prices to plunge.
Festive season
The supply has dropped by about 20 percent due to Shravana Masa festivals followed by Navaratri. As a result there was high supply and low demand said Balasubramaniam, General Manager of Venkateshwara Hatcheries.
“With little choice, poultry farmers are offering the birds at reduced price to the retailer. As stocks pile, losses will increase further due to rising production costs and other factors,” he said.
At present, the cost of production is around Rs.65 per kg but farmers are selling it to retailers for a price between Rs. 32 and Rs. 36 a kilogram.
“If farmers have to breakeven, the present price has to increase,” said K.V. S Subaraju, National Egg Coordination Committee, Vice Chairman (coordination). The prices are likely to increase in next two weeks when weddings and functions line up.
