Poultry prices likely to rise in Tamil Nadu

Poultry producers in the state are likely to hike the prices of eggs and broiler this week, expecting a short-run demand perch.

Buoyed by the increase in demand and exports for eggs, despite a low production, Namakkal-based zonal committee of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) has hiked the egg prices by five paise to Rs 1.45 a piece, from last week's Rs 1.40. The price is expected to touch Rs 1.50 by this week-end.

The recent increase in vegetable prices in Tamil Nadu, shortage of fish in the neighbouring state of Kerala, the onset of winter and increase in the consumption of eggs are the reasons for the price hike in eggs, according to V S Balasubramaniam, deputy manager, NECC, Namakkal zone.

"Because of the rains, the production in this zone has registered a 10 per cent decline from 1.86 crore eggs per day. On the export front, however, the figures remain the same "� 30 lakh eggs per day," he added.

Similarly, the state Broiler Coordination Committee (BCC) is also planning to revise the chicken prices soon.

Speaking to Business Standard, P Selvaraj, vice-president, BCC, said the committee would soon revise the decreasing chicken prices, which stood at Rs 22 per kg during the beginning of this week and is hovering around Rs 20 per kg.

"The farm price is Rs 20 per live bird. The production cost does not match with this and we are losing around Rs 7 per kg," said Selvaraj.

"These prices are not economical compared to their production costs. At the current level of raw material costs, the production of per kg chicken costs around Rs 28. So, we plan to revise the rate soon," he added.