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Shortage of poultry feed: Fresh chicken prices to increase 

12 Jun 2020

By Skandha Gunasekara   A shortage of animal feed for poultry, among other issues that erupted due to the spread of Covid-19, is expected to cause an increase in the prices of fresh chicken while the prices of frozen chicken and egg would remain the same, The Morning learnt.  All Island Poultry Farmers Association President Ajith Gunasekara said there was a severe shortage of fresh chicken.  “Fresh chicken prices could go up as there is scarcity as a result of reduced production during the Covid-19 lockdown,” he said.  Gunasekara noted that another reason for the shortage was the lack of animal feed due to import restrictions.  “Initially, there was a shortage because animal feed couldn’t be transported during curfew. But now, due to the import restrictions on maize and other similar feed, it has affected production as well,” he said, adding that they had urged the Government to provide some sort of relief to the industry.  However, he said that the poultry industry would endeavour to maintain the existing price of frozen chicken.  “There are stocks of frozen chicken despite the shortage of fresh produce. Therefore, we have all agreed to keep the frozen chicken prices from increasing,” Gunasekara said, noting that a kilogramme of frozen chicken and skinless frozen chicken would continue to be Rs. 430 and Rs. 530, respectively.  In addition, he said that egg prices also would be controlled and won’t be allowed to fluctuate.  “We had a discussion with government officials at the Presidential Secretariat and they urged us to keep the price of eggs below Rs. 20 and we agreed,” he said.      


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