August 30, 2010

Indian poultry producers forced to slash price

Seasonal uncertainties have forced the poultry producers in India's Tamil Nadu to slash the rates, according to reports.

Prices of poultry products ruled almost flat in Namakkal-the country's poultry hub-owing to decline in consumption. At the heart of seasonal downturn is the festival season.

The industry normally experiences a temporary lull from August to October, which is considered a period of abstinence.

Namakkal forms the centre of poultry trade in the state and caters to markets such as the neighbouring Kerala and as distant as West Bengal. Demand falls at least by 15% with the beginning of the Shravan month in July, which is closely followed by Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and Navaratri.

Meanwhile, the Namakkal-based National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) fixed egg prices at Rs2.30 each on August 19, down 10 paise from last week's level. It has also pruned the prices for layer birds at Rs35 per kilo from last week's Rs37.

owever, the Palladam-based Broiler Coordination Committee has increased the prices of live chicken to Rs56 on August 19 from last week's Rs47 due to pick-up in demand from Kerala.

R. Nallathambi, President of the Tamil Nadu Poultry Farmers Association, said that the Gulf countries are still wary of importing eggs from India although the government has declared the country bird flu-free.