MUMBAI: The discovery of bird flu disease among crows and hens in and around Mumbai has induced anxiety within consumers who eat chicken and egg, as well as the poultry industry. Although experts say it is safe to eat poultry items that have been cooked at high temperatures, there has been a visible reduction in demand and a corresponding dip in prices.
Avian influenza is the second blow in a single year to the poultry industry. "All of 2019 was spent battling rumours that eating chicken caused the Covid-19 infection. Just as we tided over that spell, now the prospect of bird flu has damaged earnings," said Nizamuddin Khan of AK Broiler, Amboli.
Major chicken brands like Godrej and Zorabian have not reported infection on their hatcheries or farms. They are taking care to secure their birds while simultaneously propagating safe consumption.
Prashant Vatkar, CEO of Godrej Tyson Foods Limited said, "Currently, no notifiable avian influenza has been reported in the regions where our dedicated contracted farms are located. These farms continue to follow stringent biosecurity protocols. We have created a special point of sale material mentioning this to alleviate consumer concerns."
Perizaad Zorabian, director of Zorabian Chicken, said, "Not a single case of bird flu has been reported on any of our 150 contract farms in Raigad, Pune or Khopoli, in fact not even in the vicinity. We grow our own birds and process our own feed. Every single function is in our hands so at every level we have control over sanitation and safety. This is the second crisis the poultry industry is facing in the past one year. But this time, thankfully, the animal husbandry department is taking proactive steps to counter misinformation and advising people that it is safe to consume chicken and eggs if cooked properly." Zorabian has begun to print its safety protocols and certificate on its product packaging.
Prices of loose, unbranded chicken fell by Rs 15-20 per kilo Monday. But Zorabian at least has no plans to follow suit. Perizaad said, "Our pricing never depends on the market rate of chicken because our processes remain the same irrespective of the highs and lows. We are niche and have no problem staying niche as long as we can sustain our no-compromise policy."
Vasant Kumar Shetty, president of the Maharashtra branch of Poultry Breeders Welfare Association, said, "Over the last six to eight months, we are surviving without hotel or factory support and only on home consumption. We are operating at 80 percent compared to 2019. Two days ago, we sold 2,100-2,200 tonnes, while it was 2,400 to 2,500 tonnes prior to the pandemic."
In Mulund, Parag Phadnis of Eatwell Cold Storage said sales had reduced by 40%. "Buyers are preferring branded chicken and branded organic eggs," he said. Nasir Hussain Khan from H K Chicken and Egg Shop nearby has been spending his time assuaging the fears of anxious customers who are inquiring whether it is safe to eat chicken. He said, "I explain how the poultry is fresh and from hygienic farms, and the chicken is fed with medicinal drops to prevent any disease."
Poultry sellers in Thane saw a marginal dip in demand Monday but said the impact could deepen Tuesday.
(Inputs by Sanjeev Devasia, Somit Sen, Manoj Badgeri and Bella Jaisinghani)