Shortage of chicken has hit Goan market sending prices skyrocketing even though the delicacy is off platters of a majority of Catholic community due to the Lent season.
Officials from Royal Foods, the largest supplier of chicken in Goa, attribute the price hike to drop in production.
“The scorching heat drops broiler production. In Summer, chicken is always in short supply”, Royal Food’s Peter Fernandes told Herald.
The price of chicken has shot up by over 10 per cent. Broilers which cost Rs 95-105 per kg, are now being sold for Rs 120-135 per kg.
Stating that weather plays a spoil sport, Fernandes said humidity is a cause of concern for the poultry farmers and broiler cultivating units. Royal Food claims to supply chicken to almost 80 per cent bars and restaurants in the State.
The shortage of chicken in the wholesale market has also affected the price in the retail sector. City vendors stated that live chicken which could be purchased for around Rs 85 per kg, are now being sold for Rs 100.
“We can’t help it. There is shortage in the market”, a vendor at Dilkhush Mutton and Chicken Shop in Panjim stated. He said the wholesale dealers themselves had hiked the price.
Other factors that contributed to the price hike are rise in price of raw materials like corn, soya feed etc which have risen by almost 60 per cent.
At the backdrop of rising prices, the consumption of chicken has also decreased by almost 40 per cent.
“The Lent season is always dull for meat products”, a chicken vendor stated.
The hotel industry, too, seems to be feeling the heat. Some hoteliers rued that they could not hike rates as it may result in losing customers.
“We have stopped buying huge quantity of chicken. Instead, we are promoting sea food items”, a hotelier said adding that the profit margin on chicken dishes had decreased.
“The rates will stabilise after some time. But, till then, we will have to bear the brunt”, another hotelier from Panjim said.
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