Kerala’s Chicken Prices Surge to Record High Amid Production Woes

On a typical morning in Kerala’s bustling markets, you’ll hear the familiar cluck of chickens and, increasingly, the chatter about price. By mid‑July 2026, a kilogram of chicken was changing hands for as much as ₹184 – a figure most shoppers never imagined they'd pay.

The numbers aren’t random. Traders across the state report a price band of ₹160 to ₹185 per kilogram, with some pockets even touching the top end. It’s a stark jump from the levels seen just a few months ago, and the reasons, while multifaceted, are all rooted in the same supply‑side strain.

First, the birds themselves are having a tough time. Small‑scale poultry farmers say mortality rates have ballooned from around 10 % to roughly 25 %. Those same growers note that chicks which should have bulked up to about 1.8 kg in a six‑week cycle are often still shy of a kilogram when they’re ready for market. The slowdown in growth and the higher death toll together mean fewer chickens reaching the slab.

Then there’s the price of feed – the lifeblood of any poultry operation. With corn, soybean and other staple ingredients climbing in cost, feed expenses have become a heavy burden for many. Some farmers, unable to shoulder the added outlay, have already whispered about exiting the business altogether.

Complicating things further is Kerala’s ongoing trawling ban. With fish supplies dwindling, households that usually turn to seafood for protein are now reaching for chicken more often. That surge in demand, while understandable, only tightens an already stretched market.

Transport costs haven’t helped either. Rising fuel prices are adding another layer of expense that ultimately trickles down to the consumer’s bill.

What does the future hold? Traders are cautiously optimistic that once the trawling ban lifts and fish returns to the plates, the pressure on chicken may ease. Until then, shoppers are bracing for a period of “uncertain” prices, and many are looking for alternatives or waiting for the next market update.

In the meantime, the story of Kerala’s chicken market serves as a reminder of how interconnected our food systems are – a ban on one commodity can ripple through to another, and a few spikes in feed costs can send prices soaring for everyday families.