Date:13/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/13/stories/2007121354960500.htm

Tamil Nadu

Poultry industry expresses concern over soaring feed costs

M. Gunasekaran

Price of soya has touched Rs. 16,000
No significant change in price of maize

TIRUPUR: The poultry industry of Tamil Nadu, which accounts for around Rs. 1,500 crore turnover with an annual growth of 15 per cent, is worried over the rising feed cost for the last couple of months.

Mainly, sudden surge in soya prices has triggered high production cost of broiler birds. According to R. Lakshmanan, chairman of the Palladam-based Broiler Co-ordination Committee (BCC), the price of soya has touched an all-time high of Rs. 16,000 a tonne against Rs.10,000 a tonne till recently. For the livestock feed, the main ingredient, maize accounts for 60 to 65 per cent while soya takes prominent place by accounting 30 per cent. “We procure soya from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The price has been on the upward trend due to demand in export market,” he reasons.

There is no significant change in the price of maize, which stood at Rs. 750 a quintal. “The cost of end product has not been raised commensurate with the hike in input costs,” he adds. He says broiler production is more than the demand in the State over the years.

K. Kannan of Swati Hosieries of Palladam says production cost of broiler has increased by Rs. 4 a kg. The farm gate price of birds stood at Rs. 33 a kg while the production cost crossed Rs. 35 a kg. Right now the industry is not doing well, remarks Mr. Lakshmanan. “The industry will survive only when the farm gate price is increased,” he adds. The poultry industry hopes for better sales, at least till the end of January.