Poultry prices rise 30% in a month on demand revival

Poultry prices have risen by up to 30 per cent over the past month, with a rebound in consumer demand. According to poultrybazar. broiler prices in Raipur rose the highest to trade currently at ~81 a kg. In Gujarat, it was was sold at ~72 a kg on Wednesday, compared to ~60 a kg a month before. Mumbai and Nashik saw it quoted at ~67 a kg and 66 a kg on Wednesday, against ~59 a kg and ~60 a kg a month earlier.

Similarly, egg prices have risen. In Ajmer, an egg was sold at ~3.15 on August 6; it is now ~3.55. Eggs became costlier by 30p each over the past month to trade in Delhi at ~3.95 on Wednesday. A similar increase was seen across other centres.

After a record ~100 a kg in July, broiler prices declined to ~40 a kg later in the month. The government in early July had declared India free from bird flu but consumers abstained from more purchases due to sporadic incidence in Odisha, Delhi and some other centres. And, due to culling of birds, availability was down.

“Poultry prices have increased only in certain pockets, much below the desired level. We are hoping that the current year would be good, due to an increase in rural income from agricultural sources. We see a revival in consumer sentiment and the profitability of poultry farmers this year,” said K G Anand, general manager, Venkateshwara Hatcheries, producer of the leading Venky’s brand of chicken products.

Normally, the demand for poultry products increases in the winter season, as consumers consider these to be warming agents in the body.

“Even with the current price hike, broiler prices have not reached the level of cost of production. Although prices have increased in some regions, they should rise all over the country to make poultry farming profitable,” said Ramesh Khatri, president, Poultry Federation of India.

He says average broiler prices should be ~70-75 a kg, against the current ~50-52 in Punjab and Haryana. The average cost of production works out to ~65-70 a kg, says the trade.