Bird flu scare reduces chicken demand; mutton, fish prices soar
What's the story
The recent bird flu outbreak has drastically changed consumer behavior in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The demand for chicken has plummeted drastically, resulting in a sharp fall in chicken prices.
But this has increased the demand for alternative protein sources like mutton and fish, pushing their prices higher.
Price hike
Mutton prices skyrocket amid bird flu scare
In Hyderabad, mutton prices have skyrocketed to ₹1,200 per kg from the pre-outbreak price of ₹850 per kg.
In Karimnagar, ram meat is now being sold for ₹1,000 per kg, up from ₹800 per kg.
Ghouse, owner of A-1 Mutton Market in Hyderabad, observed the increased demand, "There is a good demand for mutton in the market due to the bird flu outbreak."
Per CNBCTV18, his shop's sales have increased from 300kg to over 500kg of mutton daily.
Market shift
Fish prices surge as consumers seek alternatives
In the Godavari districts, too, mutton prices have shot up from ₹800 per kg to over ₹1,000 per kg.
Fish traders have also increased their prices by another ₹100 per kg for many fish varieties.
In Hyderabad's Mushirabad fish market, traders sold nearly 60 tons of fish on Sunday as opposed to the regular 40 tons.
This increased demand has pushed prices of popular varieties like Rava and Bocha fish by ₹20-₹40 per kg.
Industry reaction
Poultry industry responds to bird flu scare
To dispel myths of chicken being unsafe, poultry companies in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have organized free chicken fairs.
Chicken prices fell to ₹100 per kg from ₹250 after the outbreak.
The events are aimed at reassuring people by giving them free chicken and eggs.
A spokesperson for Vencobb Chicken Company said, "We want to dispel the misconceptions and suspicions among people."
He stressed, "Doctors have already said that bird flu cannot be transmitted to humans from chickens."