Chicken price soaring; no change even after Easter and Ramzan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The price of chicken is soaring even after celebrations are over. The price of chicken was raised sharply during Easter and Ramzan and was not reduced after that. A kilo of live chicken is charged between Rs 170 and Rs 190 in southern Kerala. It has increased by Rs 40 in a week. In the northern districts, there are places where you need to pay up to Rs.220. Kepco skinless chicken is priced at Rs 236 per kg Rs 273 for biryani cut meat. In North Kerala, branded chicken is now priced at Rs 253-266 and boneless chicken at Rs 400-420 per kg.

Traders say that chicken farms are creating fake shortages and raising prices unnecessarily. Traders also say that the low broiler chicken production in the state is being exploited by chicken lobbies in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states. 9 to 10 lakh chickens are sold in the state a day. Although there are chicken farms on a regional basis, poultry farming has been reduced foreseeing that chickens may die due to climate change. Many chickens dying unable to beat the heat has also contributed to the increase in prices.

Behind the price hike

Farmers say that there is a big decrease in the weight of the chickens due to the heavy heat. Chickens which used to weigh an average of 3-4 kg now weigh less than 2.5 kg. As the weather heats up, chickens feed less and drink more water. This is the reason for the weight loss. The arrival of poultry from Palladam in Tamil Nadu has also reduced, contributing to the price increase.