The market price of chicken has gone up to Rs 130 per kilogram, reports The New Indian Express. Alleging that the price has been artificially jacked up, the Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHRA) said on Monday that they would ‘boycott’ chicken unless the government took steps to bring down the price.

“The price had gone up during Christmas. Usually, it dips when the season is over, but that did not happen this time. Other than depending on the chicken from Tamil Nadu, hoteliers have started to ensure the availability from local chicken farmers at a low cost,” said KHRA Thiruvananthapuram district president B Jayadharan Nair.

What worries them is that there is a price rise even though there not any shortage of chicken.

Customers say that some hotels have already increased the price of chicken dishes. “Nearly Rs 20 has been increased on many chicken delicacies. The situation is similar in the city and suburbs alike,” said Sajan S S, a college student.

Many hoteliers complain that the rates have almost doubled in a month’s time. “There is an unpredictability in the prices, as they are fluctuating each day,” said a restaurant owner in the city.