Pune: Concerns over water availability have increased retail prices and production costs, leading poultry farms in the city and its surroundings to temporarily scale or shut down operations.Vinod Mate, who runs a poultry farm at Dharashiv, said, “We are facing a major shortage of water at the farm and the price of maize has skyrocketed. It has become impossible to feed the birds or run the farm. I am selling the birds next week.” Water shortage has increased the challenges of maintaining poultry sheds, including ensuring adequate drinking water for birds, cleaning and cooling facilities, while higher input costs are squeezing farmers’ margins.Gagan Chavan, who runs a poultry farm at Karandi, said, “The price of feed is somewhere between Rs32 to Rs42 a kg. It was about Rs18 a kg just 1-2 months ago. The price of both chicken and eggs is expected to go up further.” With some farms reducing bird placements or suspending operations, traders fear that tighter supplies could keep chicken prices elevated in the coming days.Eggs are selling at Rs600 for 100 eggs or at Rs6 per piece in the retail markets, but traders are expecting prices to go up over the next 1-2 weeks. “The price of eggs is going to go up significantly. Production is less and demand is more. Demand has increased post Navratri,” said Zakee Sheikh, who runs a poultry store at Kondhwa. Similarly, Deepak Pawar, who runs Supreme Poultry at Dhanori, said, “Last month the price of chicken was Rs 210 a kg, and now it’s Rs250 a kg. Prices have been going up significantly. Demand is high because it’s the festive and holiday period.”As prices soar, customers are bracing themselves for heavy grocery spending this festive season. “Chicken prices have gone up considerably in the past few weeks. We are now having to spend more on our monthly grocery budget, especially with the festive season and family gatherings,” said Nilofer Kapdawala, a resident of Aundh. “Eggs are a regular part of our household diet, so even a small increase in prices makes a difference to our monthly expenses,” said Sheetal Gaikwad, a resident of Kothrud.
