Kerala vendors bat for price regulation as chicken sales plummet

Kalpetta: A section of vendors claims that chicken sales have come down by at least 50 percent, following the steep increase in prices. A kilogram of chicken now costs around Rs 240 - Rs 260 in the market; an addition of Rs 60 - Rs 70 to the earlier prices. Citing the unprecedented rise in prices, vendors are preparing for a strike demanding regulation in chicken rates. Chicken stalls across Kerala will remain shut on Thursday as part of the protest demonstration by the chicken vendors’ association.

At present, wholesale dealers are procuring chicken from poultry farms at the rate of Rs 137 for every kilogram of chicken. This is sold to the outlets at Rs 145/per kg. When it reaches customers, the prices are Rs 240 to 260, for every kilogram. The increase in prices has had a negative impact on chicken sales. For example, in the district of Wayanad, ever since the increase in prices, the daily chicken sales have come down from 60 tonnes to nearly 30 tonnes.

It should be noted that chicken vendors will be able to make profits only if their daily stocks are completely sold out. On the other hand, if the chickens remain ‘unsold’ in the shops, they will tend to lose weight due to a lack of favorable conditions, unlike in farms. This will eventually result in huge losses for the farmers.  

Meanwhile, the reduction in chicken production at farms, and the intervention of inter-state entities in the market were pointed out as the major reasons behind the ordeal. 

The vendors have been demanding the government's intervention in regulating marketing. According to them, the floor price should be fixed in such a way that both consumers and vendors are not badly affected. 

“Rising chicken prices are a major blow to the livelihoods of vendors in the state. The intervention of interstate traders in the market shall be brought to an end immediately. We will go on an indefinite strike if the government fails to act quickly on the issue,” said K M Shaji, Wayanad district president, chicken vendors association.