More deaths of birds hit poultry rates

Nagpur: Poultry rates have further dipped after more deaths of birds have been reported. Farmers are getting Rs45 a kg for live birds as against Rs50 a couple of days ago.
Last week, farmers said traders made a killing by cashing in on the sentiment. The traders could purchase livestock at low rates by convincing farmers that prices may further fall.This helped traders sell birds at a hefty margin to retailers and eatery owners.
Now, however, an overall slump in demand is being seen with even consumption going down, say farmers.
Raja Dudhdade, president of Vidarbha Poultry Association, said a farmers needs to get at least Rs82 to 85 a kg to recover the expenses on each bird. “Even at this rate, farmers only earn a thin margin of not more than Rs5 per kg. Earlier this month we were hoping to get up to Rs90 a kg, but there was a gradual decline in the price,” he said.
Dudhdade said the total production of poultry birds in Vidarbha is roughly estimated to be 600 tons a day. In terms of birds, it can easily translate to a supply of 3 lakh hens each day.
Now, there is little scope for even the trader to profit as even the consumer demand is going down.
There are fears that the rates may even reduce to Rs30 and finally, the farmers may have to dispose of the birds as it happened during early days of Covid. It is not feasible to feed the bird beyond 40 to 45 days, said farmers.
It was a dull scene at chicken shops in the market as sellers had a few takers. Amit Duddalwar, the poultry association’s treasurer, has demanded that if government undertakes culling then the farm owners should get at least Rs200 a bird.
FACTS AND FIGURES
* Farmers getting Rs45/kg for birds against Rs50 few days ago
* Traders making a killing by buying at low rates
* Consumption of poultry going down
* Farmer needs Rs82/85 a kg to recover expenses
* Fears of rate reducing to Rs30/kg