Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 24: The price of chicken after touching rock bottom, had steadied at around Rs 150 to 200 per kg till the last week. However, during the last one week, the price has been going up and now it is around Rs 180 to 220 per kg. The traders say that a live bird costs Rs 180 per kg whereas skinless chicken commands price of Rs 220.

Some businessmen believe that the price of chicken has gone up because of shortage of stock caused by the mass culling of baby chicks by the poultry farmers out of fear about corona pandemic that was spread by unscrupulous people. As there is not enough stock, the price is going up, they say. It is believed that the price will stabilize in a few days.

Chicken price which was around R 200 a kg a few days back, has jumped to Rs 250 now. The price is steadily going up even in Udupi district.

In Udupi too, chicken meat is traded at Rs 250 to 260 per kg while live chicken commands price of Rs 160 per kg and skinless chicken is priced at around Rs 280. After lockdown was eased few days ago, prices of both chicken and mutton are going up. Poultry birds are not being supplied from neighbouring states and Malnad, which used to be a major source, also is not supplying enough chicken, the merchants say.

It may be recalled that many had destroyed their chicken, given them away free of cost or sold at a low price because of lack of demand a few weeks back after coronavirus scare spread.

At the same time, chicken flesh is in short supply. Because of steady demand, its price has been going up, feels Zakir Hussain, a chicken and mutton trader from Udupi. The price is witnessing increase of about five to ten rupees every day. Current price of chicken is Rs 250 per kg, he stated.