In the previous two weeks, farm gate chicken prices in several states have dropped by a quarter to a half. The decline has been most pronounced in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, where ex-farm rates have fallen from 115/kg to 60/kg in Maharashtra and 50/kg in Jharkhand.
Prices declined due to the arrival of the Shravan month in North India, when many people abstain from eating meat. Egg costs have also dropped by 30-35 percent across the country.
“Farm gate chicken prices have dropped in the last two weeks from 115/kg to 60/kg, which is below the cost of production. Prices have dropped sharply and more than predicted in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, where the month of Sharvan has yet to begin “said Vasantkumar Shetty, convener of The Poultry Breeders’ Association of India. According to poultry integrators, demand from north India, where the month of Shravan began on July 15, has dropped dramatically. They also feel that high prices in June reduced overall consumer demand.
Many Hindus refrain from eating non-vegetarian foods during the month of Sawan, which is considered a sacred month. Recently, Gujarat’s Rajkot announced a restriction on non-vegetarian sales on Sawan Somvars (Sawan Mondays), resulting in reduced customers.
