Poultry prices rise as demand returns

livemint.com:

₹92-122 per kg in farm gates of Kolkata, Bengaluru and Delhi this month, and retail prices ruled at ₹250-260 a kg, according to spot trading data. In July and August, farm gate chicken prices hovered around ₹90-100 per kg and retail prices were quoted at ₹180-210 per kg. Similarly, egg prices in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru inched up to ₹540 per 100 pieces in wholesale markets, and ₹650 at retail outlets in September.

In the previous two months, wholesale prices were at ₹415-515 per 100 pieces and retail at ₹520-550. “Broiler chicken prices have been buoyant immediately after Shravan months because of producers’ balancing profit margins, strong consumer demand and the forthcoming soya harvesting season which may not be good in October pushed up prices," said Indrajit Paul, an independent agriculture commodities analyst. Delayed and erratic rainfall in Madhya Pradesh, the top soybean grower, has resulted in wet soil which is most likely to affect not only the quality but also the quantity in the coming harvesting season.

Poultry producers have raised prices in anticipation of higher input costs. Another factor is Sri Lanka’s decision towards the end of August to increase the import of eggs manifold to counter price fluctuations amid local shortages. Sri Lanka has been relying on India to meet its domestic egg consumption since March, after its forex crisis affected the import of animal feed, and led to a poultry supply crunch.