Chicken Prices Rise as Input Cost Increases and Production Drops

Chicken prices have risen dramatically as the poultry business has seen a significant reduction in production due to rising feed costs. Over the last several days, the average price of chicken meat in Punjab has risen to Rs 220-230 per kilogram. Six months earlier, it was Rs 160 per kilogram.

"The supply is low since many chicken farmers have not maintained chicks this season owing to high input costs and hot temperatures," said Balwinder Singh of Bathinda's Ranjit Poultry Centre. Demand is very low; thus, chicken is selling for Rs 220-230 per kilograms these days."

"We are selling a live chicken at Rs 135 a piece since the feed cost is quite expensive, and retailers are selling it by including their profit margins and other expenditures," Rajesh Garg, president of Poultry Farmers Punjab, said.

The largest challenge facing the poultry sector, according to Manjit Singh, is that output cannot be raised or decreased in response to market fluctuations.

"Bird flu and high feed costs might have an impact on the business." Small and marginal farmers are unable to sustain losses in such circumstances and are compelled to shut their farms," he continued.

He appealed with the government to take the industry's suffering into account. He said that only government action could rescue poultry farms. Feed subsidies and output pricing should be set by the government.

Vegetable Prices Also Go Up:

Tomato prices have risen to ₹100 per kilograms, up from ₹65 last week. Bean, long bean, and brinjal prices have increased in the last week. Brinjal was sold for ₹60 per kilograms on Sunday, up from ₹30 the week before. Long beans have also increased in price, from ₹40 to ₹80 per kilograms.