Chicken prices are likely to soften only after onset of the monsoon rainfall, which would bring the temperatures down. Chicken farmers said around 30 per cent of chickens in every farm are dying due to heatwaves. On top of that, the demand for eggs in the market has also decreased due to excessive heat. As a result, they are selling eggs at a loss. Although the production cost of each egg is more than Tk 10, eggs are being sold at Tk 8 each at farms.
Chickens are dying in many farms due to the ongoing heatwave, while egg, milk and meat production is on the decline for the same reason. Poultry farmers in the state are reducing production of chickens as they’re worried about more chickens dying due to the heat wave. This has led to an increase in the price of chicken. Increase in prices is more pronounced in the south as farmers have reduced the number of birds due to water scarcity. Each bird needs 1.5 litre water per day for temperature control and cleaning.
Presentation- Dibyabharati Nayak
