Chicken prices skyrocket as consumption picks up

Hubballi: Chicken prices have skyrocketed after the lockdown has been eased.
On Sunday, a kg of skinless chicken was sold for Rs 260-300. Ten days ago, the price was in Rs 140-180 range. In the last six weeks, poultry farmers sold chicken at throwaway prices.
Due to spread of rumours among people that chicken consumption may lead to catching Covid-19, poultry units suffered and farmers were unable to run their units. During the lockdown, the price of chicken was set by BBMP in Bengaluru and also other city corporations in the state. In Bengaluru the price of the chicken per kg is Rs 240 to 250.
According to those in the business, prices have gone up because consumption of chicken is slowly increasing but supply is not catching up with demand.
Dr RS Patil, veterinarian and poultry consultant, said the difference between demand and supply is the main reason for the sudden spike in price clubbed with high cost of production of chicken. Maze and soya prices went up in April. “Because of no transportation from neighbouring districts, chicken traders are not getting supply. So they had to rely on local supply,” he added.
Mallapur Devaraj, president, Madhya Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Traders Co-operative Society, Davanagere, which covers almost 16 districts and has more than thousand members, said that shortage of live birds is the main reason for the hike in price. The feed prices too are more and many people with the fear of lock down don’t have that adequate stock.
“Farmers are selling live birds at Rs 120 -140 per kg, but traders are ferrying and making more profit. During lockdown, farmers culled live birds in large numbers and incurred losses. Some even sold at Rs 30-40 per kg,”, he added.
According to farmers and experts in the field, once fresh live birds start entering the market, prices will gradually come down.
Hanif Nadaf, president, Hubballi Poultry Farmers Association, said that during the lockdown, a chick was being sold for Rs 2 to 3 and now prices have jumped to Rs 24. If the same market condition continues, prices of chicks is expected to reach nearly Rs 35 to 40, he added.