Poultry farmers having trouble renewing energy contracts

The poultry farmers' union has stated that farmers are having trouble renewing energy supply contracts after their fixed-rate period ends, the Czech News Agency reports. Dozens of Czech poultry farmers are facing the risk of having to close business as a result. Poultry farmers only get fixed rate contracts on a monthly rather than yearly basis, which makes it even more difficult for them than the general population. Electricity prices are at least three and a half times higher than before, and gas prices even more so. In addition to expensive energy, poultry farmers are also having to deal with a sharp increases in the price of chicken feed.

A survey by the Agrarian Chamber and the Czech-Moravian Poultry Union in spring showed that about 52 percent of businesses plan to limit poultry farming, while roughly six percent will come to a complete stop.