Mananthavady (Wayanad): Price of chicken increased after production in poultry farms declined due to intense summer. The price of live chicken is Rs 140 per kilogram and meat price ranges from Rs 180-200 in different parts of the district.
As the temperature increased, production has decreased to half in poultry farms. Chicken is brought from farms in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. But after COVID restriction was intensified, transportation was affected. With this, the number of vehicles going to Karnataka decreased.
The increasing fuel price also stops the merchants from travelling to other states and buying chicken. Production declined in the farms in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka during the summer. Merchants are facing loss due to production decline and price hike.
The chicken price rose above Rs 170 per kilogram after February 25. Till then, live chicken cost Rs 100 and meat price was around Rs 150. As the price soared, buyers rarely come to the shops. Many of them return without buying chicken, the merchants said.