Consumers feel heat as chicken, egg prices climb across AP

Vijayawada: Chicken has suddenly become a costly affair for households across Andhra Pradesh, with retail prices soaring from ₹220 per kilogram on June 15 to ₹330 per kilogram, marking a steep ₹110 increase in just over two weeks.

The sharp rise has put additional pressure on family budgets, especially as egg prices have also witnessed a significant hike during the same period.On June 15, eggs were selling at around ₹6 each, but they are now retailing at ₹8.50 per egg, reflecting a sharp increase that has affected both consumers and small businesses dependent on poultry products.Poultry industry sources attribute the price surge to a huge gap between demand and supply.

Heavy bird mortality during the peak summer months drastically reduced poultry production, resulting in fewer birds reaching the market. While supply has fallen, consumer demand has remained strong, pushing prices to record levels.“The summer heat caused substantial losses to poultry farms. Fresh production is yet to recover, and until more birds enter the market, prices are likely to remain high,” said B Rama Rao, a poultry trader.

Consumers say the price hike has forced them to rethink their weekly food budgets. “Chicken prices have been competing with mutton prices in recent times. Its price becomes unpredictable. We have minimised consumption since it became costly,” said Bethu Vijaya, a homemakerfrom the city.Retail vendors echoed similar concerns, saying many customers are reducing their purchases or switching to other protein options. Restaurants and roadside eateries that rely heavily on chicken have also started feeling the pinch, with some considering price revisions for popular dishes.Industry experts expect prices to remain firm for the next few weeks until poultry farms recover from the summer losses and supply improves. Until then, both chicken and eggs are likely to continue burning a hole in consumers’ pockets.