Hit by feed costs, poultry industry seeks duty-free maize imports

Reeling under rising feed costs in an El Niño year and slack demand, the poultry industry has sought duty-free imports of non-GMO maize and the release of FCI (Food Corporation of India) foodgrains unfit for human consumption for use as poultry feed.

Breeders across all zones agreed to set a baseline price of ₹110 per kg for live chicken to promote coordinated pricing.

Leaders of poultry industry associations, including the All India Poultry Breeders Association (AIPBA), the Pan India Breeders Association (PIBCC) and TPBA, and heads of poultry companies discussed the challenges facing the sector in the backdrop of El Niño and depressed chicken prices at a meeting here on Monday.

Seasonal Prices

Stating that the recent dip in chicken prices was largely seasonal, as consumption fell during the festival period, the leaders said there was no need to panic. They said the fluctuations were temporary.

They called for policy measures to ease feed costs, particularly duty-free import of non-GMO maize. They also pointed to the abundant availability of soybean in the market.

KG Anand, General Manager, Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited, told businessline that the drop in prices was due to seasonal issues and that it will pick up over the next few weeks.

The associations plan to meet government representatives and policymakers in New Delhi later next week to seek policy interventions to support market stability and address rising input costs.