Chicken prices have experienced a significant decline of 30-40% since reaching a peak of INR 120/kg in June. Presently, they are averaging around INR 80/kg at the farm gate. Interestingly, chicken stands out as the sole major food commodity displaying negative inflation, in contrast to the escalating prices observed in vegetables and pulses.
While chicken consumption typically experiences a decline during the Sawan period each year, the impact is notably more pronounced in the current year.
“Chicken prices at the farm gate had dropped by close to 50% in July to about INR 55-60/kg from a high of INR 120/kg in June, which led to farmers cutting down the bird production. Lower production has helped the prices rise to an average of INR 80/kg at present,” said Gulrez Alam, secretary general, All India Poultry Breeders Association.