May 27, 2010

Chicken prices show increase in Delhi, India

Wholesale chicken prices in Delhi have increased by about 14% from last month to INR74/kg (US$1.6) on account of poor supply and are likely to rise further, according to market experts.

At present, dressed live weight broiler in the Ghazipur wholesale market costs INR74/kg, which is about INR9 (US$0.2) more than what it was last month, Fish Poultry & Egg Marketing Committee chairman Babu Khan Salmani said.

Salmani said that supply from Rajasthan, a major supplier, has decreased. In the retail market, prices of dressed live weight broiler have also jumped by INR20 (US$0.4) over the last month to cost INR140 (US$3) a kg.

"Farmers are going for fewer broilers as the intense heat has raised input prices. Housing of poultry has dropped by 30-40 % as cost of fans and installing sprinklers has gone up," said Ricky Thapar, spokesperson for Poultry Federation of India.

This has had a bearing on egg prices also that have increased to INR2.14 (US$0.05) a piece from INR2 (US$0.04) last month on high demand and farmers housing lesser poultry, he said. Thapar further said that wholesale prices of dressed live weight broiler could see a jump of about INR30 (US$0.6) to cost up to INR110 (US$2.3) per kg next month.