Chicken Prices Fall Sharply With Advent of Holy Shravana Month
Traders say this price decline is also seasonal and related to the holy month
KURNOOL: With the holy Shravana Masam starting from August 13, most of the faithful have stopped consuming non-vegetarian food. As a result, retail prices of skinless chicken, which had remained above `300-a-kg mark for several months, have fallen sharply to around `240 a kg on Saturday.
During the Shravana month, a large section of devotees prefer vegetarian food while observing fasts and performing religious rituals.
Though chicken prices normally fluctuate by `10–`20 a kg, the recent fall has been unusually steep. Prices have declined by nearly ₹60 a kg over the past four days. Skin-on broiler chicken is currently being sold for around ₹200 a kg in retail markets.
“Chicken prices had been rising continuously since March, as high temperatures had affected poultry production. Rise in feed costs also pushed up their cost,” said R. Vivekananda, a poultry farm owner from Nandyal. The sharp fall in demand has now reversed the trend.
Egg prices have also softened. A dozen eggs, which had touched ₹96–₹100 at one stage, are now selling for around ₹80 in retail markets. Traders say this price decline is also seasonal and related to the holy month.
Significantly, there has been no corresponding decline in mutton prices. Goat and sheep meat continues to be sold at more than `850 a kg, which is beyond the reach of many middle-class and lower-income consumers.
“Neither mutton nor country chicken is affordable for ordinary families. The fall in broiler chicken prices has provided some relief,” said C. Virupakshi Reddy, a farmer from Panyam.
Country chicken prices too have remained high due to their short supply against the strong demand. A live country chicken is being sold for around `750 a kg in weekly markets. After dressing, a one-kg live bird yields about 700 grams of meat.
“Country chicken prices have been rising for nearly a year and have not come down. Supply is not keeping pace with demand. During festivals, the birds become even more difficult to get,” said P. Krishna Reddy of Kolimigundla in Banaganapalle constituency.