PUNE: Amidst fear, mostly due to messages on social media, that Novel CoronaVirus (nCoV) spreads through consumption of affected chicken, the price of chicken has dropped due to dwindling demand in the retail market.
However, the District Investigation Section (DIS) of the Western Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory’s (WRDDL) that comes under the State Animal Husbandry Department, issued a notice on Tuesday that there is no relation between the nCoV and broiler chicken, and has appealed to consumers not to believe rumours circulating on social media.
“Rumours circulating on social media regarding not to eat broiler as they are affected with nCoV has hit the business badly. The demand for chicken has reduced by more than 50 per cent. The retail price of chicken has reduced by 30 to 40 per cent since last 10 days,” said Manzoor Shaikh, owner of Diamond Chicken and Bismillah Food, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Market, Camp.
He said the retail price of dressed chicken which was around Rs 160 to 180 per kg has reduced to Rs 130 to 150 per kg.
The retail price of live chicken has reduced to Rs 90 to 100 while it was Rs 120 per kg.
February being a month when most people don’t eat out due to exams, the demand for chicken reduces by 10 to 15 per cent. However, this year due to the romours circulating on social media, the demand for chicken has reduced drastically and there is 50 to 60 per cent less demand. Therefore the prices have also reduced, which is affecting our business,” said Sachin Kamble, owner, Saamarthya Foods, Shivajinagar.
The farm get price for live chicken has reduced, affecting broiler farmers badly. Kiran Abhade, Abhade Poultry Farm, Kopargaon said, “Due to rumours of nCoV, the demand for chicken has reduced, affecting the farm get price for live chicken. The farm get price for live chicken has reduced by 40 per cent and we are not able to cover our cost of production and are facing losses.”
The nCoV has also affected the demand for fish slightly as the price of fish such as surmai, bangda and black pompfret have also reduced over last 10 days. Tousif Shaikh, a vendor at Shivaji Market, Camp said, “Due to the rumours, the fish demand is also slightly affected as the prices of surmai which was Rs 600 has reduced to Rs 500 while bangda is reduced by Rs 50 per kg so also black pompfret. However, for past two days the fish market has picked up but the worst affected commodity is chicken as its demand have reduced considerably.”
DIP IN PRICES
Demand for chicken has gone down.
Price of dressed chicken reduced by 30-40%
Broiler farmers affected.
Demand for broiler reduced by 50-60%
