March 14, 2011

 

Prices of Indian chicken reach all-time highs due to hot season

 

 

The retail prices of chicken in India, instead of falling, have shot up due to the summer heat, and may reach all-time highs.

 

On Thursday (Mar 10), chicken prices across the city ranged between INR96 (US$2.12) and INR98 (US$2.166) a kilogramme. This time last summer, chicken had cost INR42 (US$0.928) a kilogramme. Usually, chicken prices are low during the summer as the meat is not in much demand during the hot season, but this has changed this year.

 

Two weeks back, the price of chicken had stood at INR68 (US$1.503) a kilogramme. "The current price at Kavakkinar and Anchugramam in Tamil Nadu, from where chicken is imported to Kerala, is INR62 (US$1.37) a kilogramme. The prices are expected to go up in the coming days,'' a retail dealer said.

 

"Usually, chicken prices go up during the colder months and fall during summer. This year, prices have gone up instead of falling. Also, our sales also have not recorded any dip,'' he said.

 

According to chicken dealers, by Sunday (Mar 13), the price would go up to INR102 (US$2.254) a kilogramme, which would be an all-time high for chicken in the country. Poultry officials in the country cite a number of reasons for the sudden jump in price.

 

''One reason is that the arrivals from neighbouring states have gone down. Secondly, the production costs, including that of chicken feed, have increased, forcing farms to shoot up the price,'' Kerala Poultry Development Corporation (KEPCO) managing director, Dr. V Sunil Kumar, said.

 

''Even the price of chicks has gone up. Now, a one-day old chick costs INR40 (US$0.884).'' He said that KEPCO has not increased the price of chickens sold through its outlets.