May 29, 2024
Increased broiler prices in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, as heat intensifies
Prices of broiler chicken in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, shot up steadily due to intense heat resulting in a drastic drop in production in the city.
The farm gate price of chicken has gone above ₹140 (US$1.69) per kilogamme, while its retail price in shops hovers around ₹260 (US$3.13) to ₹290 (US$3.49).
The price of chicken has increased by around ₹23 (US$0.28) per kilogramme in less than a month due to a 20% drop in its production following a sharp rise in temperature in the months of March and April, according to poultry farmers.
In addition to massive deaths of birds and increase in production cost, an existing ban on fishing at sea has also added up to the rising demand for chicken.
The wholesale procurement price of chicken increased sharply from ₹124 (US$1.49) on May 1 to ₹134 (US$1.61) on May 11, ₹138 (US$1.66) on May 15, ₹141 (US$1.70) on May 16, and has now reached ₹147 (US$1.77).
"Over 40 tonnes of chicken is required on weekdays and up to 120 tonnes on Sundays for sale in over 1,300 meat shops in Coimbatore. However, the supply has come down drastically due to a dip in production," said P. Ramesh, member of Coimbatore District Broiler Chicken Sellers Association.
Due to the impact of the summer heat, birds consumed less feed and took longer to gain weight.
"A bird, which usually attains 2.5kg of weight in 40 days, gained only 1.9kg," said poultry farmer R. Manickam. "Following rains, the birds have started to consume in higher quantities. Therefore, their prices may come down to normal in a week's time."
- DT Next
