3 days ago
Country chicken becomes dearer than mutton in parts of Andhra Pradesh
Visakhapatnam: After remaining steady for over two months, the retail and wholesale prices of country chicken have reached a record high in several parts of Andhra Pradesh. The cost of country chicken has now surpassed even mutton, fetching between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200 per kg, whereas mutton is priced at Rs 900 per kg, as shifting demand and supply dynamics take effect in the state.
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Country chicken prices have surged by more than 30 per cent throughout Andhra Pradesh, attributed to the outbreak of viral diseases that plagued commercial poultry farms from Feb to April this year. Thousands of Aseel roosters and hens perished in regions of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema, leaving hundreds of families dependent on country chicken poultry in dire circumstances.
The meat of country chicken is known to be tougher compared to broiler chicken, but upon cooking, remains juicy.
Despite broiler chicken being the more common choice, it remains customary to serve guests dishes prepared with country chicken.
K Ramu Naidu, a country chicken farmer from Anandapuram in Vizag city, commented, "We incurred huge losses as our roosters and hens died of bird flu between Feb and March this year. Country chicken that had few takers in March and April due to viral diseases, is in demand now. However, there was a huge gap between demand and supply of country chicken leading to hike in prices of country chicken."
Supply struggling to meet demand is being cited as the reason for increasing prices. Broiler chicks on the farm need 50 to 60 days to reach harvestable state, whereas country chicks need at least four to six months for the same. The demand and supply gap will continue for some more months . In April, the price of one kg dressed country chicken (Rooster meat) was sold at Rs 900, now it is being sold at Rs 1,200 per kg, said Sk Hussain, a meat trader.
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We must spend at least Rs 1,200 per kg for quality country chicken in the retail markets. Though broiler chicken was sold at Rs220 per kg, we consume country chicken once a week. If the trend continues, we will cut down our consumption quantity, said V Ganesh Kumar, a resident of Vizag city.
In the quest for local food, the country chicken is now popular than ever. With huge demand for country chicken (popularly known as naatu kodi), some traders are cheating consumers by selling crossbreed roosters and hens as country chicken.
