Bird flu scare: Chicken prices fall by Rs 50 per kg; no need to panic, says Telangana govt

Hyderabad: The avian flu scare in Andhra Pradesh has led to a decline in chicken consumption in Hyderabad, affecting poultry businesses. Consumer demand for chicken meat has dropped significantly even after the Telangana government stated there is no immediate threat.

Vendors in Hyderabad have reported an excess supply of chicken, leading to a reduction in prices.

“There are no takers for chicken and the load is excess. Today’s price for one kg of chicken is Rs 210, down from Rs 230 a few days ago,” said a local poultry vendor speaking to NewsMeter.

Mutton prices spike

In some areas, the drop is even steeper, with chicken prices falling by Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg. In contrast, mutton prices have surged by up to Rs 100 per kg due to increased demand. A kg of mutton is currently being sold at around Rs 900, while chicken is priced at Rs 220 per kg.

Another vendor explained, “Many customers are asking for mutton and fish instead of chicken due to bird flu concerns. Mutton is already expensive and now the demand is pushing prices even higher.”

Industry experts call for caution over panic

Industry representatives have urged the public to avoid unnecessary panic.

“As a precautionary measure, institutions like canteens, government residential schools and others have stopped taking chicken due to the bird flu threat. However, there is no bird flu in Telangana. The borders are sealed and the veterinary institutes are checking farms. In Andhra Pradesh, strict government monitoring is in place,” said KG Anand, general manager, Venkys India Ltd, speaking to NewsMeter.

‘Virus can’t survive Indian style of cooking’

Anand further said, “No virus can survive the Indian style of cooking, making it safe to consume chicken. The market is not impacted as much as it is being made out to be.”

Every year, seasonal changes from winter to summer lead to fluctuations in poultry sales, and this year, summer has arrived early. Industry experts note that the poultry sector is experiencing a temporary impact due to these weather changes and prices are expected to drop further by Rs 50 to Rs 70 as temperatures rise.

Marriage parties avoid chicken and eggs, prefer mutton and fish

With the ongoing wedding season, many hosts are opting for mutton and fish over chicken for their functions. Catering businesses are witnessing a shift in demand.

Nithish Singh Thakur, founder of Red Velvet Events, a wedding planning service, speaking to NewsMeter, shared, “Usually, chicken dishes dominate wedding menus, but this time, we are getting more orders for mutton and fish. Some customers are even avoiding eggs in their dishes due to the bird flu scare.”

Uday Singh Vijayraj, president Poultry India says that the upcoming marriage season is seeing a major dip in the demand for chicken. He says, "This hurts the small poultry farmers the most as they are the ones who find that their stock cannot be sold. In Telangana, there is no bird flu but the buying of chicken in large functions has stopped. We are going to appeal to people to look at the facts where it is clearly said that a properly cooked chicken does not cause any harm. We are going to have cooked chicken in public forum to make people understand. These seasonal changes are seen every year but when it comes during the wedding season, the losses for the industry are high and recovery for smaller farmers is difficult."

Health experts address concerns

Despite the fear, health experts clarify that properly cooked chicken and eggs do not pose a risk.

Dr NV Pradeep, a Hyderabad-based general physician, said, “The avian flu virus is destroyed at high temperatures. If chicken and eggs are cooked thoroughly at 70°C or above, they are safe for consumption. The risk arises only from consuming raw or undercooked poultry.”

Nutritionists emphasise that avoiding poultry entirely may lead to nutritional deficiencies.

“Chicken and eggs are rich sources of protein and essential nutrients like vitamins and iron. If people are avoiding them due to fear, they should ensure they get enough protein from other sources like fish, lentils and dairy,” said Dr Meghana Reddy.

Government steps up to prevent bird flu spread

In response to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana government has taken precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus into the state.

Over 24 border checkposts have been set up to monitor poultry transportation from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department are conducting round-the-clock inspections of vehicles entering Telangana.