According to The Himalayan, at present, the retail price of chicken is hovering at around Rs 345 a kg, which was Rs 280 per kg in the third week of February. After around 13 months, since the outbreak of bird flu last year, prices returned to normal at around Rs 280 a kg last month. The price had peaked at Rs 450 a kg in September last year, immediately after the bird flu epidemic was contained.

"Chicken production has still not been regular in the country since the sector was hit by the outbreak of the avian influenza — H5N1 — last year and due to this, supply declined causing an increase in price. Over consumption of chicken in Terai during ‘Holi’ has also created a shortage in the Valley as it receives a large quantity of chicken from the Terai," said Chairperson at Nepal Poultry Sales Association Janga Bahadur BC. He also said that it will take some more time for the new batch of chickens to be produced.

Currently, the Valley is receiving chickens from neighbouring districts, namely, Kavrepalanchowk, Nuwakot, Dhading, Lalitpur and Makwanpur. In normal days, the Valley absorbs around 250,000 kg chicken.

Frequent increase in the price of chicken is creating a problem for the restaurant business. According to proprietor of Global Bakery Café in Maharajgunj Tika Ram Khadka, "The price of chicken has increased twice since we revised the price on our menu. This is creating a problem for us because we cannot revise the price frequently."