Dimapur Municipal Council hikes chicken price by INR 40 per kg

Dimapur: The Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) has “temporarily” hiked the rate of broiler chicken by INR 40 per kg after the Poultry Union Dimapur (PUD) imposed an indefinite ban on the sale of poultry in the city starting from May 17, citing the impact the price rise in wholesale market has in its business.

The DMC, in its order on Thursday, “enhanced” the rate of broiler chicken (live) to INR 200 per kg against the previous rate of INR 160 per kg, while the dressed one has been fixed at INR 290 per kg against the earlier rate of INR 250 per kg.

‘This rate will be enforced with immediate effect,’ it said, adding that the move was necessary ‘on account of shortage and corresponding rise in the wholesale rate and present wholesale market situation’.

Meanwhile, it reserved the right to cancel or withdraw the order at any time on normalisation of the present situation and warned that appropriate action would be taken against those failing to comply with the order.

DMC Administrator W Mampai Phom told Eastern Mirror that it decided to “enhance” the rates temporarily after a consultative meeting with the Poultry Union Dimapur on Thursday and thoroughly examining the entire situation, including the price rise in the wholesale market.

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He clarified that it’s not a revised rate but “enhanced” to address the current issue in the market; to provide temporary relief and stability during the prevailing circumstances.

On the reason behind the price rise in the wholesale market, Phom said it was due to supply shortage caused by Assam government’s banning of poultry import from West Bengal as a measure to curb the spread of bird flu.

This directly impacted the wholesale rates in the local market as Nagaland’s main poultry supply comes from areas like Lahorijan, Khatkhati, and Bokajan in Assam, he said, adding that the DMC also had conducted a survey of market rates in the neighbouring state.

It is said that broiler chicken (live) is currently priced around INR 180 and 190 per kg, and dressed broiler chicken between INR 280 and 300 per kg in Assam.