Buoyed by a strong festival demand, higher feed prices and the onset of winter, broiler prices touched the record levels of Rs 75 a kg seen in 2011.

Broiler meat production in the country registered a 8.97 per cent rise to touch 3.1 million tonnes in 2012 and is likely to touch 3.4 million tonnes (a growth of 8.23 per cent) in 2013, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Soaring feed prices that account for one-third of cost of production is mainly attributed as a reason to the steady rise in prices - a 75-kg bag of broiler feed costs Rs 2,702.50 in 2012 against Rs 1,894 the previous year.

Meanwhile, egg prices also are on the rise owing to pick-up in retail demand.

The National Egg Coordination Committee (Namakkal zone) has increased the price of an egg by six paise to Rs 3.40.

Pick-up in consumption due to winter and spurt in demand from confectioners are attributed to the rise in prices.

NECC has slashed layer rates (for birds of 1.3 kg) to Rs 35 (Rs 38) to boost consumption as it is a persihable product.

Namakkal and Palladam prices are the benchmarks for eggs and chicken respectively in the country.

gayathri.gururajan@thehindu.co.in

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