February 25, 2013

India's chicken prices have risen by 60% with the increase in feed prices and dwindling stocks.

Poultry experts have attributed the spiralling rates to rise in the cost of chicken feed, including soy meal and corn, and low temperature in winter, which is unfavourable for broiler production.

Due to less production, the overall supply of chicken has gone down by 30% to 40% in the wholesale market. Prices of other chicken products have also increased.

Prices of other chicken products have also increased.

Poultry experts also said that the supply of chicken from Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab has gone down due to low production.

Rise in soy meal export has led to its cost escalation in Indian market, which has pushed up the cost of poultry production. Similarly, price of corn, used as a feed for chicken, has also gone up.

Similarly, price of corn, used as a feed for chicken, has also gone up.

Proper chicken feed includes 60-65% corn and 20-25% soy meal besides minerals and vitamins.

Feed prices are also going up due to weak harvests worldwide.

At present, the key challenges faced by the poultry industry are high feed cost, inadequate cold chain and poor transportation infrastructure.