The Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene over recurring shortages and price volatility in maize and other poultry feed materials, warning that feed inflation has already crossed 20%.
Kolkata, November 3 — The Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to address recurring shortages and sharp price fluctuations in maize and other essential feed materials used by India’s poultry industry.
The Kolkata-based industry body said the problem has become a structural issue that requires coordinated action at the national level rather than temporary measures.
In a representation submitted to the Prime Minister, MCCI said the crisis has implications beyond the poultry industry.
It could affect the viability of millions of poultry farmers and allied businesses, while also impacting maize growers, rural employment, agricultural credit, industrial investment and India’s foreign exchange position.
The chamber called for coordinated intervention by the Centre and state governments to remove supply-side constraints and bring greater stability to the availability and prices of essential poultry feed.
Anmol Feeds Managing Director and MCCI past president Amit Saraogi said the poultry feed industry is facing increasing pressure because of inadequate availability of raw materials.
He attributed the situation partly to higher demand from the ethanol sector and lower crop production.
Saraogi warned that India could face a severe shortage of animal protein over the next three months if the situation does not improve.
According to him, feed price inflation has already crossed 20%, increasing costs for poultry and animal-feed producers.
Higher feed costs could eventually affect the availability and affordability of products such as chicken and eggs for consumers.
Saraogi estimated the size of the Indian animal feed market at around ₹10 lakh crore.
MCCI President Munish Jaiswal said the chamber is willing to work with concerned ministries and state governments to establish working groups, hold stakeholder consultations and develop time-bound action plans.
The industry body has also offered to provide technical expertise, industry inputs and ground-level feedback to help authorities evaluate proposed measures.
MCCI has requested the Prime Minister to direct the concerned departments to examine the issues and initiate time-bound action.
Copies of the representation were also sent to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other senior ministers.
