Kathmandu, November 3
The price of broiler chicken has continued to decline over the past month. According to the latest notice issued by the National Chicken Sales Entrepreneurs Association, the purchase price of broiler chicken has been reduced by an additional Rs 10 per kilogram, effective from Tuesday.
With the latest revision, the cold-store purchase price of chicken has dropped to Rs 250 per kilogram. Following the reduction, the association has set the retail price of ready-to-eat broiler chicken for consumers in Kathmandu Valley at Rs 350 per kilogram. The retail price previously stood at Rs 385 per kilogram.
According to available data, the purchase price of live chicken has been reduced five times in the past month alone. The price, which stood at Rs 290 per kilogram on October 2, was reduced to Rs 280 on October 26.
It was further lowered to Rs 270 on October 28 and Rs 260 on October 30 before being cut by another Rs 10 to Rs 250 on November 3.
Overall, the purchase price of chicken has fallen by Rs 40 per kilogram in five successive reductions between October 2 and November 3.
While the continued decline in prices within a short period has provided some relief to consumers, poultry farmers say it has placed them under considerable financial pressure. They say their earnings from selling poultry have declined even as the costs of feed, chicks, medicine and transportation continue to rise.
