Chicken bucks trend, prices dip 30-40%

Chicken prices have fallen 30-40% from peak of ₹120/kg in June and are currently ruling at an average of ₹80/kg at the farm gate. Chicken is the only major food commodity that has seen negative inflation, even as the prices of vegetables and pulses zoom.

Although chicken consumption does dip every year during Sawan, the impact is more severe this year. "Chicken prices at the farm gate had dropped by close to 50% in July to about ₹55-60/kg from a high of ₹120/kg in June, which led to farmers cutting down the bird production. Lower production has helped the prices rise to an average of ₹80/kg at present," said Gulrez Alam, secretary general, All India Poultry Breeders Association.