Staff reporter
Guwahati: A sharp and sudden surge in chicken prices across Guwahati has left both consumers and small poultry traders struggling to cope, with both broiler and local (desi) chicken becoming significantly costlier over the past few days. The price hike is sending ripples through kitchens and markets alike, as both households and sellers adapt to the changing dynamics of the city’s poultry trade.
According to local traders, the wholesale rate of broiler chicken has jumped by Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per quintal, while the price of local chicken has surged by nearly Rs 5,000 per quintal. This has led to a steep increase in retail rates, affecting everyday consumers.
“Just a few days ago, cut broiler meat was selling for around Rs 240 to Rs 250 per kilogram,” said a vendor at a city market. “Now, the same meat costs nearly Rs 280 per kilogram. Prices of local chicken have crossed Rs 600 in some places — a significant leap from the earlier Rs 500 to Rs 550 range.”
While no single cause has been pinpointed, traders are attributing the spike to a combination of factors, with the ongoing heatwave emerging as a primary concern. Prolonged high temperatures have impacted poultry farming across the region, affecting bird health, reducing growth rates, and increasing mortality. Compounding the problem, extreme heat is also making transportation of live poultry more difficult, leading to a dip in supply to city markets.
“This heat is unbearable — even for the chickens,” said another trader. “Many poultry farms are reporting losses, and the number of birds arriving in the markets each day has dropped.”
The result has been a double blow to poultry retailers. On one hand, they are being forced to buy stock at inflated rates; on the other, they are witnessing a decline in customer footfall due to the rising prices. “If we keep the prices high, customers don’t buy. But if we try to reduce prices to maintain footfall, we end up making a loss,” said a shopkeeper in Uzan Bazar locality.
Households are also feeling the pinch. Many regular buyers are now reducing their chicken consumption or shifting to more affordable protein sources like fish or eggs. For some families, chicken — once a weekly or even daily staple — has disappeared from the menu, at least for the time being.
“There was a time when we sold out by noon,” said a seller in the Beltola area. “Now, even with limited stock, we are struggling to close sales.”
Unless weather conditions improve and poultry supply chains stabilize, prices are expected to remain high. For now, chicken is turning into a costly indulgence, making even loyal enthusiasts think twice before bringing it home.
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