Chicken at Rs 380 per kg strains consumers amid LPG burden in AP

Vijayawada: Broiler chicken prices have soared to an unprecedented ₹380 per kilogram, creating a sharp imbalance in the poultry market. The surge is attributed to rising demand and a steep fall in supply, while egg prices have simultaneously crashed due to export disruptions linked to tensions involving Iran.The crisis traces back to February 2026, when fears of bird flu spread across Rayalaseema, particularly in Annamayya and Chittoor districts. Having suffered heavy losses in 2025, many farmers avoided raising new batches of broiler chickens this year. This cautious approach has now led to a severe supply shortage. "Last year we suffered huge losses due to bird flu. This time, many of us avoided raising chickens to prevent risk. Now, there is demand but no supply," said Dasari Satyanarayana, a poultry farmer from West Godavari district.As a result, chicken prices have jumped from around ₹250 to ₹380 per kg within weeks. In contrast, egg prices have dropped from ₹7 to about ₹3.70 due to a decline in international exports.The impact is being strongly felt by the hotel industry. "Chicken is a staple in most dishes. With prices rising sharply, we are struggling to manage costs," said Mupplaneni Raghu, a hotel owner in Vijayawada. "We are already dealing with LPG shortages, and now this has added to our burden."Consumers, too, are feeling the pinch. Many households are cutting down on chicken consumption due to high prices, even as eggs become more affordable.Industry experts say the unusual trend highlights a demand-supply mismatch in the poultry sector. While egg farmers are facing losses, broiler chicken farmers are now witnessing unexpected profits.