Chicken price up 35% due to low supply, costly feed

After onions and tomatoes, poultry prices — primarily those of chicken — are marching north.

After onions and tomatoes, poultry prices — primarily those of chicken — are marching north.

HT Image

Till last week, a kilo of chicken was retailing between `140-150 in the city. But, prices have now jumped up by nearly 35%, touching `200 for a kg.

Wholesalers attribute the rise to a drop in supply, bulk of which comes from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. “Because of low profit margins, farmers have reduced the supply,” said Mohammad Arif, a wholesaler at Ghazipur Poultry Market.

The biggest reason for the hike in prices, say officials, is the rising price of soya, the main component of poultry feed.