HYDERABAD/VISAKHAPATNAM: After bird flu, the severe heat wave has killed more than 50 lakh chicken across Telangana in two weeks, dealing a huge blow to the poultry industry and pushing prices of chicken in the retail market to over Rs 200 a kg for the first time in both states.

Unable to withstand temperatures hovering in the mid-forties for a sustained period of time across Telangana districts, the poultry industry said lakhs of birds are dying every day, triggering a loss of Rs 57 crore.

"Poultry mortality rate began after May 17 as the temperature rose beyond 42 degrees across the region, especially north Telangana. No amount of intervention worked as cooling mechanisms to prevent sun stroke in poultry birds work only up to a certain level," said Errabelli Pradeep Rao, president of the Telangana State Poultry Federation (TSPF). "Out of 2 lakh birds in my farm, 30,000 perished within days," he added.

For the record, TSPF has about 15,000 members and collectively own about 5.75 crore birds, including, 3.75 crore layer birds and 2 crore broiler chickens.

The heavy poultry mortality, which has not spared neighbouring Andhra Pradesh either, has sent prices of chicken and eggs skyrocketing, and is likely to severely affect the hotel industry's profit margin and prices in restaurants within the next few days.Whole sale prices released by National Egg Co-ordination Committee for major cities in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh since May 17, sums up the deadly impact of the heat wave on the poultry industry.

For instance, in Hyderabad city, egg prices shot up from Rs 260 (per 100 eggs) on May 17 to Rs 327 (per 100 eggs) on June 3, increasing at an average rate of Rs 5-7 a day.

The increase in both Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam during the corresponding period was from Rs 262 (on May 17) to Rs 320 on Wednesday.

Chicken prices too have reported an upward trend in both Telangana and AP.

For instance, on June 4, people will have to shell out Rs 220 in Hyderabad and Vijayawada for skinless chicken. Consumers in Visakhapatnam will have to pay Rs 218 per kg of skinless chicken.

On June 3, consumers in Hyderabad and Vijayawada bought skinless chicken at the rate of Rs 208 (live bird rate at farm gate in the two cities on June 3 was Rs 103 per kg), while consumers in Vizag bought skinless chicken at the rate of Rs 204 (live bird rate at farm gate on June 3 was Rs 101 per kg).

"The upward trend in chicken and egg prices is inevitable as it is the only way the poultry industry can recoup its losses. There is a drop in both chicken and egg production due to high mortality in poultry," said Sanjeev Chintawar, business manager, NECC, Hyderabad, adding that in Telangana alone, egg production has come down by 15-20% in the last two weeks.

He said the trend of increase in prices will continue for at least two more weeks.

The Hyderabad based Telangana Hotel Association comprising 500 mid-size hotels up to three-star level, has hinted at revision of their rate card for chicken items by 30 %.

"The hotel industry in Hyderabad is already reeling under losses due to several reasons. Our members may not sustain the present rate card for chicken items if poultry industry continues to hike the chicken and egg prices," said B Jagdish Rao, secretary of Telangana Hotel Association.

Consumers too have started feeling the pinch, across both states.

"The price was around Rs 170 per kilo three days ago, but today I was shocked to hear that it was Rs 202 per kilo. Last month during this time, it was only Rs 140-145 per kilo," said Vijay Bapi Reddy of Pedawaltair area in Visakhapatnam. "We usually purchase around 1 kilo for our family, but due to the presence of relatives we had to buy around 4 kilos. If the rate continues like this, then we'll have to shift to having only eggs," he added.

However, in Vijayawada, Koteswara Rao, poultry owner from Poraniki, said the price hike was certainly a shot in the arm for the growers who have suffered heavy losses.

"When the prices crashed to Rs 130 due to the bird flu scare, we suffered heavy losses. It is quite heartening to note that the chicken price per kg has crossed Rs 200. When the input costs like the feed are going up, this sort of buoyancy was required for the poultry industry to survive."