The price of broiler chicken in Kerala has come down significantly recently. From a price of Rs 160 per kg two weeks ago, it has now come down to Rs 100 per kg. Traders attribute this drop to an increase in local broiler chicken production and an increase in shipments from Tamil Nadu. They also expect prices to continue falling in the coming days.
Earlier, even though farm chicken prices were low, retailers did not reduce their prices, leading to protests by customers. As a result, some retailers in Adimali reduced prices, leading to chicken being sold at Rs 120 in some shops and Rs 99 in some supermarkets. The sharp drop in prices has negatively affected poultry farm dealers.
Currently, agents are buying broiler chickens from farms at a rate of Rs 65 per kg, which is the lowest rate in recent times. This low price is due to the large number of chickens on the farm. Keeping chickens for a long time can increase feed costs. Prices have fallen unexpectedly due to more chickens being reared and piling up on farms. The rainy season is beneficial for the growth of chickens, increasing their weight. Traders predict that prices may rise again only around Onam.
A large number of chicken shops are operating in tourist centres, including Munnar, but the number of visitors has come down drastically in the last two weeks, leading to a 50% drop in chicken sales. Many big hotels, which earlier bought 300 to 400 kg of chicken daily, are now closed. After the Wayanad disaster, the number of tourists in Idukki has dropped by more than half. The rise in both small and large farms in Kerala has also contributed to the fall in prices.
Source- english.mathrubhumi.com
