Chicken has become cheaper in the Kathmandu Valley, dropping Rs20 per kg to Rs250 as poultry farms were left with a pile of unsold stock after expected festive sales did not materialise, traders said. 

According to the Nepal Chicken Sellers Association (NCSA), chicken cost Rs320 per kg during Dashain last year. Prices have dropped Rs70 per kg over the last month.

NCSA President Jung Bahadur BC said they slashed chicken prices due to the excess supply compared to demand. “During the festivals, demand dropped due to which there is a glut in supply,” he said.

The daily requirement of chicken in the Valley and adjoining districts is 300-350 tonnes. This accounts for 60 percent of the total demand across the country. BC said that demand during festivals fell below 200 tonnes.

“Since most Valley denizens switch to goat meat during the festivals and many people return to their homes for the celebrations, there was a sharp fall in demand.” Nepal is self-reliant in chicken. Poultry prices fluctuate widely with changes in demand and supply. As per the NCSA, prices could go up from mid-November with the start of the wedding season.

The poultry industry has an annual turnover of Rs33.72 billion, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

The country’s annual production of chicken meat is valued at Rs20.52 billion.

Chickens are produced commercially in 64 districts in the country, and 55,871 people are engaged in the business. According to a CBS survey, 75 percent of commercial chicken producers are making profits.

Chitwan, Kavrepalanchok, Dhading, Kathmandu and Kaski are the top chicken producing districts. Chitwan is the largest producer of poultry products in the country, posting an annual turnover of Rs10.17 billion, or almost one-third of the national total.

According to the NCSA, the production of chicken has been swelling in the Tarai of late. BC said investments had grown significantly in districts such as Bara, Parsa, Jhapa and Sindhuli.