Chandigarh: Retail meat prices have climbed sharply across Chandigarh. Broiler chicken prices have jumped by 20–25%, while mutton has become costlier by 5–7%, traders said on Tuesday.The surge has been attributed to higher livestock prices, rising transportation costs and supply constraints, with sellers also pointing to disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East crisis.At the Sector 21 meat market, poultry vendors said farms have increased live bird rates from around Rs 105–110 per kg to Rs 150–155 per kg with immediate effect. This has pushed up retail broiler chicken prices by about Rs 60 per kg, from Rs 240 to nearly Rs 300 per kg.Pawan Kumar, a local chicken shop owner, said soaring input costs have left retailers with little choice but to revise prices. He added that rates for specific cuts have also surged — leg and chest portions now sell at Rs 320 per kg, up from Rs 260, while boneless chicken has risen from Rs 300 to Rs 360 per kg.Grill and barbecue chicken vendors in Sector 22 said they, too, have revised menu prices to offset higher raw material costs.Mutton prices, meanwhile, have seen a relatively moderate increase. Goat meat now sells at around Rs 740 per kg, up from Rs 700. Premium cuts such as legs and ribs, earlier priced at Rs 740 per kg, have climbed to about Rs 780 per kg.Neeraj Kumar, a mutton trader, said wholesale prices at Ambala — where livestock is sourced from Rajasthan districts such as Sikar, Jaisalmer, Ajmer and Kota — have risen due to higher transportation costs and lower availability of animals.Supply chain pressures and demand outlookTraders said logistics costs, including fuel prices and interstate transportation expenses, have risen in recent weeks, adding to procurement costs. Seasonal factors and tightening livestock supply have further contributed to the escalation. Industry observers note that poultry feed prices and farm-level revisions tend to pass quickly to retail markets, resulting in steeper spikes in chicken prices compared to mutton.Consumers express concernRegular buyers voiced concern over the frequent price hikes, saying the rising rates are straining household budgets. Some questioned the direct linkage between international developments and local meat prices, noting that retail rates rarely fall once increased. Market participants said prices are likely to remain elevated in the near term unless supply conditions improve and input costs stabilise.
