COIMBATORE/CHENNAI: Broiler chicken prices have surged past Rs 300/kg following an ongoing production halt by poultry farmers demanding higher rearing wages.
Chicken prices, which earlier hovered between Rs 240 and 270 per kg, have surged to Rs 320 and above since Sunday due to a supply drop following the ongoing protest.
The procurement price, fixed by the Palladam Broiler Coordination Committee, has increased from Rs 120/kg on December 20 to Rs 137/kg on January 1 and Rs 152/kg on January 18.
In Chennai, chicken that was sold at Rs 360/kg without skin on January 4 now costs Rs 400/kg. For chicken with the skin, prices have gone up from Rs 300 to Rs 360/kg, while boneless chicken has increased from Rs 500 to Rs 560/kg.
“The price hike is mainly due to climatic changes and a steep increase in poultry feed prices. Production schedule is affected because of strike in poultry farms. Water and electricity expenses have also gone up,” said Niyas Ahmed, a chicken and mutton trader in Mannadi.
Farmers affiliated with the TN Vivasayigal Padhukappu Sangam have launched an indefinite production halt since 1 January this year, demanding a substantial hike in poultry rearing charges from Rs 6.50/kg to Rs 20/kg.
Additionally, they are seeking Rs 25/kg for country chicken, Rs 7/quail, free electricity for poultry farms and creation of separate welfare boards for poultry farmers. The farmers have also called for the annual revision of rearing charges through tripartite talks involving the state government, poultry farm owners, and farmers’ associations.
Tamil Nadu is home to approximately 40,000 broiler farms spread across Palladam in Tirupur, Namakkal and Erode, producing over 40 lakh kilos of broiler chicken daily. Besides Tamil Nadu, broiler chicken is also sent to Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry.
Meanwhile, the farm gate price of eggs in the Namakkal region witnessed a sharp decline to Rs 5/egg from Rs 6.40 in December. Poultry farmers attributed this to a significant drop in consumption for the Thaipoosam festival.