Artificial scarcity created by traders and stock holders in the domestic market is the prime reason behind the current situation of the market, said Sujit Kumar, Sales Head, Sarvottam Poultry Feed Supply Centre Pvt Ltd. “It’s hard to anticipate the market future right now as traders are playing a decisive role at present and this is the prime reason behind the nominal decline in the prices of feed,” he added.

If stockists start to offload their stocks in the market, prices of soyameal and other ingredients may come down in upcoming days and the prices of poultry feed will come down too, said Mr Sujit, HinduBusinessLineReports reports.

The cost of poultry feed has hit the roof, forcing many farmers to choose the substitute of poultry feed and that led the feed demand down, said market experts.

On Wednesday, soyameal was quoted at around Rs 4,400-4,600 a quintal. Maize prices went down by Rs 80 to Rs 1,400 a quintal. Bajra was at Rs 1,200 a quintal, DCP went for Rs 43 a kg, while fish oil sold at Rs 100 a litre.

After witnessing a price rise last week, prices of poultry feed products went down. Prices of Broiler concentrates feed and Broiler Starter Mash went down by Rs 50 each and quoted at Rs 2,010 and Rs 1,490 for a 50-kg bag respectively.

“Broiler Pre-Starter Concentrate 30 per cent” was down by Rs 30 and sold at Rs 1,700 for a 30-kg bag, while layer concentrate cost Rs 1,530 for a 50-kg bag, Rs 10 down from previous level.

Pre-lay mash decreased by Rs 30 and quoted at Rs 1,050 while broiler finisher sold at Rs 1,470 for a 50-kg bag, Rs 50 down from previous level.

Meanwhile, broiler prices went further down, on Wednesday. Broiler quoted at Rs 60-62 a kg against Rs 78 last week. The price of an egg was up by 25 paise to Rs 2.90, while chick went up by Rs 4 and sold at Rs 11.