Chicken prices in India change almost every day, leaving many consumers confused. One day the price is low, and the next day it suddenly increases. If you regularly check chicken rate today, you may wonder why these frequent fluctuations happen.
In this detailed guide, we explain why chicken prices change daily in India, what factors influence poultry rates, and how consumers and traders can benefit by understanding price trends.
Overview: Daily Chicken Price Fluctuation in India
Unlike packaged food items, chicken is a fresh, perishable commodity. Its price is influenced by several real-time factors such as:
- Supply from poultry farms
- Demand from markets and hotels
- Feed and transportation costs
- Weather and seasonal changes
Because these factors change daily, chicken prices are not fixed and vary by city, market, and time. Below are today’s rate.
| Market Wise | Chicken | Skinless | Boneless |
| 1 kg Chicken Price Today | 160 | 200 | 210 |
| Wholesale Rate | 160 | 200 | 210 |
| Supermarket Rate | 170 | 210 | 220 |
| Retail Rate | 180 | 220 | 230 |
1. Feed Cost – The Biggest Factor Behind Chicken Price Changes
Feed cost accounts for 60–70% of poultry farming expenses. Poultry feed is mainly made from:
- Maize
- Soybean
- Grains
When maize or soybean prices increase due to:
- Poor crop yield
- Import restrictions
- Fuel price hikes
Farmers and suppliers pass this cost to wholesalers and retailers, which directly increases the chicken price per kg.
🔍 Impact:
Higher feed prices = higher chicken rates
2. Supply and Demand in Local Markets
Chicken prices depend heavily on daily supply and demand. Weather, availablity may effect the demand in local manid & market.
High Demand Situations:
- Weekends (Saturday & Sunday)
- Festival seasons
- Wedding seasons
- Increased hotel and restaurant demand
Low Demand Situations:
- Religious fasting periods
- Disease rumors
- Extreme weather
When demand exceeds supply, prices increase. When supply is high and demand is low, prices fall.
📌 This is why chicken prices are usually higher on weekends.
| City | Chicken | Skinless | Boneless |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warangal | 160 | 200 | 210 |
| Nalgonda | 175 | 215 | 225 |
| Kolkata | 165 | 200 | 215 |
| Chennai | 160 | 200 | 210 |
| Hyderabad | 170 | 210 | 220 |
| Nellore | 170 | 210 | 220 |
| Bangalore | 175 | 215 | 225 |
| Vijayawada | 170 | 200 | 220 |
| Ghazipur Murga Mandi | 120 | 180 | 200 |
3. Weather Conditions Affect Chicken Prices
Weather plays a major role in poultry production.
Hot Summers:
- Chickens eat less
- Slower growth
- Higher mortality risk
Heavy Rainfall:
- Transport issues
- Disease spread
- Delayed market supply
Cold Weather:
- Better growth
- Stable supply
- Sometimes lower prices
🌡️ Extreme weather reduces supply, leading to price increases in many cities.
4. Transportation and Fuel Costs
Chicken is transported daily from:
- Poultry farms → Mandis → Retail shops
Any increase in:
- Diesel prices
- Toll charges
- Transport shortages
…directly affects chicken prices. Even a small fuel price hike can increase retail chicken rates in cities.
🚚 Higher transport cost = higher chicken price
5. Poultry Disease Outbreaks and Rumors
Diseases like:
- Bird flu
- Newcastle disease
- Coccidiosis
…can affect poultry supply.
Even rumors of disease outbreaks can reduce consumer demand sharply, causing prices to drop temporarily. When demand recovers, prices rise again.
⚠️ Media news has a direct short-term impact on chicken prices.
6. Wholesale vs Retail Price Difference
Chicken prices are decided in layers:
- Farm gate price
- Wholesale mandi price
- Retail shop price
Retail prices include:
- Shop rent
- Labor cost
- Cleaning and wastage
- Profit margin
This is why retail chicken prices are higher than wholesale prices, and why prices differ across cities.
7. City-Wise Price Variation
Chicken prices vary by city due to:
- Distance from poultry farms
- Local demand
- State taxes and regulations
- Availability of cold storage
For example:
- Chicken prices in metro cities are usually higher
- Smaller towns often have lower rates
👉 Always check city-wise chicken rates for accurate pricing.
8. Seasonal Demand and Festival Impact
Chicken prices increase during:
- Wedding seasons
- Year-end celebrations
- Tourist seasons
Prices may drop during:
- Shravan month
- Navratri
- Ramadan fasting hours (daytime)
📆 Seasonal trends explain long-term price movements.
9. Role of Poultry Companies and Integrators
Large poultry companies control:
- Feed supply
- Chick placement
- Market supply
When integrators reduce supply intentionally to control losses, prices rise. When supply is released in bulk, prices drop.
This controlled supply plays a role in price stability or sudden spikes.
10. Why Chicken Prices Change Daily Even in the Same City
Daily changes occur because:
- Wholesale rates change every morning
- Demand varies day to day
- Weather and transport conditions change
- Supply quantity fluctuates
Retailers adjust prices based on same-day wholesale rates, not weekly averages.
How Consumers Can Buy Chicken at Lower Prices
- ✔ Buy on weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday)
- ✔ Compare prices across markets
- ✔ Buy early morning
- ✔ Check wholesale markets if possible
- ✔ Track daily chicken price trends
Conclusion: Understanding Chicken Price Changes Helps You Save Money
Chicken prices in India change daily due to a combination of feed costs, supply-demand balance, weather, transport, and seasonal factors. These fluctuations are normal and unavoidable in a fresh food market.
By understanding why chicken prices change daily, consumers can make smarter buying decisions, and traders can plan better purchases.