Price rise: Kerala eating places take hen off plate

Express News Service
KOCHI: Stating that the value of hen is rising day-to-day, the office-bearers of  Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA) stated they are going to be pressured to exclude hen dishes from the menu. They stated the value of hen has virtually doubled, in comparison with final week.

“Hotels and restaurants are the major consumers of chicken sold in the state. Nearly 80% of the stock is bought by us. At present, hoteliers are only allowed to sell parcels because of Covid restrictions imposed by the government. The steep increase in the price of chicken has further deepened the financial burden of hotel and restaurant owners who are finding it difficult to pay wages for workers,” stated KHRA president Moideenkutty Haji.

KHRA alleged that it’s the inter-state hen foyer that’s behind the weird hike in worth of meat. “We hope the government will take steps to make more stock available from the domestic market,” stated KHRA common secretary G Jayapal.

‘Price hike temporary’Meanwhile, poultry farmers stated there isn’t a level within the allegations raised by hoteliers. “Let me ask the hoteliers whether they will be ready to lower the prices of chicken items when the price of chicken meat is low? No. They will not do that. The price hike is a temporary thing and we believe that it will come down soon,” stated Binny Immatty, state president of Poultry Farmers and Traders Samithi.

Chicken was priced at  Rs 86 per kilogram a month in the past. On Friday, the value of 1 kilogram of hen within the retail market was  Rs 150. 

“Farmers are left with no option given the steep increase in the price of chicken feed and related items for running the poultry. The government has already warned of a potential third wave. There is panic and the farmers need floor price for chicken, which will maintain a balance between price, demand and supply,” he added.

Meanwhile, the office-bearers of All Kerala Poultry Federation (AKPF) stated the poultry farmers within the state are hesitant to proceed farming due to the worry that they are going to be pressured to promote their hen beneath the market worth if the third wave hits the state. “Domestic production is very low. Big players and companies, which sell processed meat, are taking advantage of the situation and exploiting the consumers,” stated  AKPF common secretary S Okay Naseer.

Shooting costs (Per kg)June 2, 2021    Rs 97June 16       Rs 86July 1          Rs 120July 10        Rs 143July 14        Rs 148July 15        Rs 150