Chicken prices soar amidst summer in Kerala; TN, Karnataka begin 'shrewd' work

PALAKKAD: The poultry price in the state has reached a record high with chicken meat now priced at Rs 260 per kg. The price has been increased by Rs 80 in just one week. The increase in prices is due to lower production of broiler chickens in the state due to hot weather and significantly lower arrivals from Tamil Nadu.

As per the market trend, the chicken meat prices will further rise in the coming weeks. However according to traders, farms are showing false numbers just to ensure that the price goes high and the burden falls onto the hoteliers and commoners.

Taking advantage of the dearth of Kerala farms, poultry lobbies in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are raising the prices sharply. The current price of chicken is Rs 250-260, beef Rs 360-380 and mutton Rs 780-800.

With the increase in heat, Chicken eats less but drinks more water. This results in weight loss. Eight to ten lakh chickens are sold in the state every day. Most regional farms in rural areas have close minding the unbearable heat. The current price of chicks is Rs 35-40 but the production cost of one kg chicken in the state is Rs 90-100.

When Kerala witness low chicken production, Tamil Nadu will make the best of the moment to increase the price to an unprecedented high. The high price has also increased charges in hotels for chicken dishes.