Visakhapatnam: The prices of broiler chicken and country chicken in north Andhra has soared to Rs 200 per kilogram and Rs 400 per kilogram respectively during Ugadi as the rising temperature has taken a heavy toll on birds in the region. The poultry businessmen predict that prices will further increase in the coming weeks and will touch Rs 250 per kg for broiler variety.
The rising temperature has resulted in the price of skinless chicken being soared to Rs 200 from Rs 170 per kilo within two weeks. Similarly, the price of boneless chicken has touched Rs 350 from Rs 250. Though the demand in Vizag and surrounding areas has slightly come down due to hot conditions, the price will likely remain high for the next couple of months. The price of country chicken (Natu Kodi) has increased to Rs 400 from Rs 320 per kilo within a week.
Poultry businessmen attributed the price hike to prevailing heat wave and increased production cost. The monthly consumption of broiler chicken is around 10 lakh kg in Vizag city.
A few weeks back, farmers used to supply live birds at Rs 100, while the same were sold to customers at Rs 130 to Rs 140. Now, the producers have increased their price to Rs 120 due to increased production cost and unfavorable weather conditions, said M. Janaki Rao and P Seshagiri Rao. Meanwhile, chicken lovers say that not only sea food, but also the broiler chicken and country chicken have become costlier in summer. Chicken was considered ordinary persons’ source of nutrition, but now it has become a costly menu and in the coming weeks too there will be no relief from the skyrocketing prices, said chicken lover Ch. Suresh Kumar.
