Buyers have been disappointed by the district’s rise in chicken prices. Skinless chicken, which cost Rs.220 to Rs.240 per kg just two weeks ago, has now reached Rs.300 per kg in several areas of the erstwhile Warangal district.
The price of live birds has also risen significantly, currently selling for Rs.180 per kg, up from Rs.120 previously. Chicken prices have skyrocketed within a month. A kilo of chicken cost Rs.154 on April 1, and just a week ago, chicken with skin was available for Rs.213 per kg, while skinless chicken cost Rs.243. Prices have now reached an all-time high of Rs.300 per kg.
Traders attribute the sharp increase in chicken prices to the state’s fluctuating temperatures, which have been hovering around 45 degrees Celsius in several areas. As they struggle to withstand the scorching sun, chicks are growing slowly and dying as a result of the heat.
Poultry farm owners report that sudden weather changes kill 40 to 60 percent of their chickens. Starting in December or January, it usually takes about 40 days for a chick to reach a weight of one and a half kilos. According to poultry experts, the blistering heat since March has extended this period to 50 to 60 days.
As a result, despite the installation of coolers and air conditioners on farms, chicken productivity has been severely impacted. To manage excess production, some poultry farmers have reduced the number of chickens on their farms significantly, resulting in a gradual decline in the region’s overall chicken population since February, ultimately contributing to the price increase.
“We have stopped buying chicken on Sundays due to the recent surge in prices. We can no longer afford to include chicken in our Sunday meals,” said Swapna, a housemaid whose husband runs an autorickshaw in Srinagar Colony, Hanamkonda.
The erstwhile Warangal district has around 1800 poultry farms, with an estimated 2.24 lakh kg of chicken sold daily. On Sundays and other special occasions, this figure can reach 3.12 lakh kg.
As the price of chicken continues to rise, consumers become increasingly concerned and disappointed, resulting in a drop in demand.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the price of chicken feed has been steadily rising. Soybeans and corn are the main components of chicken feed. Soybeans, which were previously priced at Rs 35 per kg, have now risen to Rs 105 per kg.
Similarly, the price of maize feed has risen from Rs 13 to Rs 40 per kg. Feed price increases have put a significant strain on poultry farmers, prompting some to halt chick rearing activities. Furthermore, transportation costs for fodder have risen by 40 to 50 percent. Poultry farm owners are now importing feed from West Godavari in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. to meet rising demand.
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