January 15, 2007

Festivals increase poultry consumption and prices in India

Three festivals, coming in close proximity, has increased demand for poultry products in India.

The recent Christmas and New Year festivities, followed by the Indian festival of Pongal this month, is expected to support rising consumption of chicken in the country.

The National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC), Namakkal, has increased egg prices by 10 percent while Palladam-based Broiler Co-ordination Committee (BCC) has set wholesale price 6 percent higher, due to higher demand.

The current situation is similar to the situation at the same time last year. 2-2.5 million eggs were exported to northern India last year, said Dr. P Selvaraj, chairman, NECC. Current prices are expected to last through January.