The poultry industry, facing mounting pressure from rising feed costs, El Niño-related concerns and sluggish market demand, has urged the government to allow duty-free imports of non-genetically modified (non-GMO) maize. Industry representatives have also called for the release of Food Corporation of India (FCI) foodgrains that are unsuitable for human consumption for use as poultry feed.
As part of efforts to bring greater stability to the market, poultry breeders across all regions have agreed to establish a baseline price of ₹110 per kg for live chicken, aiming to encourage coordinated pricing within the industry.
The challenges confronting the poultry sector were discussed at a meeting held on Monday, attended by representatives of major industry associations, including the All India Poultry Breeders Association (AIPBA), the Pan India Breeders Association (PIBCC) and TPBA, along with heads of leading poultry companies. Discussions focused on the impact of El Niño, increasing production costs and the decline in chicken prices.
Seasonal Demand Behind Chicken Price Decline
Industry leaders maintained that the recent fall in chicken prices was primarily seasonal, driven by a temporary decline in consumption during the festival period. They advised poultry farmers and businesses not to panic, expressing confidence that the current market fluctuations would ease in the coming weeks.
The associations stressed the need for government intervention to reduce poultry feed costs, particularly through duty-free imports of non-GMO maize. They also highlighted the adequate availability of soybean in the domestic market as a factor that could help ease pressure on feed supplies.
KG Anand, General Manager of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited, told BusinessLine that the recent decline in chicken prices was largely attributable to seasonal market conditions. He expressed confidence that prices would gradually recover over the next few weeks as demand improves.
Industry Associations to Seek Government Intervention
To address the sector’s growing concerns, poultry industry associations are planning to meet government representatives and policymakers in New Delhi later next week. Also Read | Hester Biosciences to develop, commercialize influenza vaccine for poultry
The proposed discussions will focus on seeking policy support to control rising input costs, improve the availability of affordable poultry feed ingredients and maintain greater stability in the chicken market.
The industry believes that timely policy interventions, particularly on maize imports and the utilisation of FCI foodgrains unsuitable for human consumption, could provide much-needed relief to poultry producers and help strengthen the sector’s overall stability.
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