As Mercury Rises in Guwahati, So Do Chicken Prices..

If chicken is a regular item on your plate, you may need to think again before your next meal. In recent days, the prices of both broiler and local (desi) chicken have soared, leaving both consumers and small-time sellers in a fix.

According to traders, the wholesale price of broiler chicken has gone up by Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per quintal, while the price of local chicken has soared by nearly Rs 5,000 per quintal. That means a noticeable jump in per-kilo rates at local markets, something that chicken lovers are already feeling in their wallets.

In Guwahati, for instance, just days ago, a kilo of cut broiler meat was priced between Rs 240 and Rs 250. Now, the same quantity is selling for around Rs 280. Local chicken has seen an even sharper hike - previously sold at Rs 500-Rs 550 per kg, it's now being priced at Rs  600 or more in some markets. Traders and vendors say they are still unsure about the exact reason for this sudden jump.

Retail sellers are also feeling the burn. With prices climbing and customer numbers dropping, shopkeepers are caught between a rock and a hard place. If they sell at higher prices, people walk away. If they lower the price, they risk making no profit, or worse, running into losses.

The ongoing heat wave isn’t helping either. High temperatures are affecting poultry farms, slowing down production and complicating transportation. As a result, fewer chickens are reaching markets each day.

This double blow of rising prices and reduced supply is affecting everyone in the chain. Many regular customers are cutting back, turning to alternatives like fish or eggs. Some are dropping chicken from their menus altogether, at least for now.

Traders say customer footfall has dropped sharply in the past week. Shops that once sold out by noon are now struggling to clear even limited stock.

So whether you’re a chicken curry loyalist or someone who enjoys a Sunday afternoon grill, be prepared to shell out more. Until the heatwave cools down or supplies bounce back, the humble chicken may continue to rule the market, perhaps not as a meal.

Also Read: Irked Over Not Getting To Eat Chicken Curry, Karnataka Man Kills Son