Tropical Cyclone Hudhud, which struck India earlier this month, dealt a big blow to its poultry industry, with prices of chicken and eggs soaring in affected areas.

Chicken is reportedly now priced at INR180/kg (US$2.94/kg) from the previous INR140/kg (US$2.28/kg) in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Shop owners expect the price to further increase to INR200/kg (US$3.26/kg).

Also, eggs now sell for INR6 ($0.010) each from the previous INR4 ($0.07), and is seen to go up to INR7 ($0.11).

In Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, 60% of about 7 million broilers were killed due to the cyclone, causing chicken to disappear in the markets. Supplies were reportedly being sourced from Godavari district.

A meat vendor at Visakhapatnam city's Isukathota Junction predicted that the price of chicken would go beyond INR200/kg (US$3.26/kg).

In Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts, around 1.65 million layers were reportedly killed by Hudhud, the strongest tropical cyclone this year in the North Indian Ocean, and the most destructive since Nargis in 2008.

On a normal day, 100,000 layers lay 85,000 eggs. "But with so many birds dying, it would be a miracle if we get at least 20,000 eggs," said an industry leader.

In the coming winter, the poultry industry predicts that the cost of eggs will rise steeply as the demand would peak in West Bengal and other northeastern states.