Indian poultry industry to cut production by 25% amid soybean meal price surge

Industry leaders said the production cut is intended to offset rising input costs and prepare for the seasonal slowdown in poultry meat consumption typically seen during July, August, September and October.

A. Ashraf Ali

aviNews Asia | Sales - South Asia

India’s poultry industry has agreed to reduce production by 25% and has begun culling parent breeder stocks after soybean meal prices increased by more than 40% during the past month, significantly raising feed costs for producers.

Leading poultry industry associations reached the decision following discussions on the growing feed-cost crisis facing the sector. Participants included representatives from:

• the All India Poultry Breeders Association (AIPBA)
• the Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association of India (CLFMA)
• the Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association (KPFBA)
• the Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA)
• the Telangana Poultry Breeders Association
• the Broiler Coordination Committee Tamil Nadu

According to industry representatives, soybean meal prices have risen by more than 40% in recent weeks. As soybean meal is the principal protein source used in poultry feed, the increase has sharply raised production costs across the broiler and layer sectors.

Industry leaders said the production cut is intended to offset rising input costs and prepare for the seasonal slowdown in poultry meat consumption typically seen during July, August, September and October, when festivals such as Sawan, Navratri and Durga Puja are observed in several parts of India.