Chicken prices hit record Rs 350/kg in AP amid supply crunch

Visakhapatnam: Chicken prices have surged sharply in parts of Andhra Pradesh, with retail rates touching a record ₹330–₹350 per kg. Prices have risen steeply over the past two weeks due to reduced production, increased demand amid the marriage season, high feed costs and rising bird mortality caused by hot and humid weather.A week ago, skinless broiler chicken was priced at ₹260–₹280 per kg, while live birds were sold at ₹150 per kg. Prices have now jumped to ₹330–₹350 per kg and ₹180 per kg respectively.Traders attributed the spike to supply constraints and a surge in demand due to weddings in parts of the state as well as neighbouring Odisha and Telangana. The price of boneless chicken has crossed ₹500 per kg, while drumsticks and breast pieces have climbed to ₹520 and ₹480 per kg, respectively.Dressed country chicken, which was sold at ₹800 per kg in early May, has now risen to ₹1,200 per kg in some areas.Chicken consumption has increased by around 20% amid marriage season, while supply has dropped by nearly 30%, pushing broiler prices to ₹350 per kg, said Sk Subhan, a meat trader in Visakhapatnam. Prices of mutton and chevon have remained steady at around ₹1,000 per kg, he added.Meanwhile, egg prices have also risen, from ₹5 a month ago to ₹7 each in the retail market. Country chicken eggs are being sold at ₹15–₹20 each due to high demand.The poultry sector has been facing challenges in recent months, with fluctuating weather conditions in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh pushing up bird mortality. This has disrupted supply during peak summer demand, and the trend is expected to continue until weather conditions stabilise, experts said.r