With the fresh adjustment in prices, chicken in the capital has reached Rs 250 per kg. Similarly, price of live chicken increased by Rs 10 per kg to reach Rs 195 per kg.[break]
Poultry entrepreneurs have also increased the price of eggs by Rs 20 per crate (30 pieces) due increased demand and low supply from farms. With the increase in price eggs are now selling at Rs 200 per crate.
The increment in prices was jointly decided by Kathmandu-based poultry farmers, entrepreneurs and retailers as there are less chicken available in the capital. Prem Kumar Gurung, president of Kathmandu Poultry Entrepreneurs Association, said they had to raise prices of both the chicken and eggs due to low supply from farms.
Farmers have reduced the number of chicks in their farms after bird flu was reported in Manohara Bridge in Bhaktapur and eastern Nepal. Entrepreneurs in other parts of the country also reduced number of chicks in their farms following the bird flu outbreak.
“Most of the farmers in the capital reduced the number of chicks in their farms after bird flu was confirmed at farms in the capital. This led to drop in supplies and subsequent rise in price,” explained Narayan Hari Khatri, president of Nepal Feed Industries Association. He added supplies will gradually pick up in the coming days as farmers have already started increasing the number of chicks in their farms.
According to poultry entrepreneurs, demand for chicken generally drops by 10 to 15 percent during summer season. But as it is raining in the capital the demand has not gone down and it is difficult to fulfill. Traders say they are forced to increase the prices.
Daily consumption of chicken in the capital hovers between 200,000kg to 250,000 kg. Farms are presently supplying about 200,000 kg of chicken in the market, according to the association.
Retailers in the capital source chicken from farms in the Kathmandu Valley, Dhading, Kavre and Chitwan, among others.
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