After experiencing a brief lull due to seasonal uncertainties, broiler prices are inching up on short supplies.
The Broiler Coordination Committee (BCC) has hiked the price of live birds to Rs 53 a kg from last week's Rs 47. Earlier this March, the prices touched a record Rs 75 a kg. “Broiler prices declined last month because of the austere/festive season resulting in poor offtake. Most of the poultry farms were running in half their capacity; and due to shortage of birds, prices are likely to go up gradually,” said an industry source.
Meanwhile, prices of layer birds and eggs remain flat at Rs 40 a kg and Rs 2.61 a piece, respectively.
Mr Selvaraj, Chairman, National Egg Coordination Committee, Namakkal zone, noted that the increasing flow of commuters on holidays triggers an increase in chicken consumption and hence, the price increases.
The price of poultry feed has remained stable during the last month at Rs 19,600 a tonne. According to the data available with Poultry Federation of India, maize production this year is estimated at a record 21 million tonne (16.6 mt). This means there would be no supply constraint. Feed costs constitute around 70 per cent of the cost of production.
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