PUNE: Chicken prices have shot up in recent times and have been hovering above Rs 180/kg (retail rates) in big cities for close to a month now due to an increase in demand because of beef ban and Ramadan.
High temperatures too have caused a supply shortage across the country, unlike in the past, when the shortage was restricted to a few regions. Currently , the retail price for chicken in Maharashtra is anywhere between Rs 180/kg and Rs 200/kg.
The farm gate price, at which a poultry farmer sells his live bird, was ruling between Rs 60/kg and Rs 65/kg in January as demonetisation had affected demand, but Rs 100/kg and above it recovered to later. Farmers, who were just able to cover their cost of production, or were incurring losses till January , have been able to earn profits now.
PG Pedgaonkar, general manager at Venkey’s Hatcheries, said, “Earlier, chicken prices would remain high in some pockets at a given time. However, for the first time, chicken prices have remained high across the country .“
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