Ban on poultry transportation, chicken prices up in Guwahati

GUWAHATI: The price of broiler chicken has surged by around 40% in Guwahati after the Assam government banned transportation of poultry to the state from other parts of the country in a bid to prevent possible spread of avian influenza.
Traders in Guwahati said the ban on transportation of poultry to the state has raised the price of the chicken in Guwahati along with other parts of the state as Assam does not produce enough broiler chicken to meet the demand.
Jintu Ali, a meat seller, said the price of a live broiler chicken was Rs 110-Rs 120 per kg and that of the dressed broiler chicken was Rs 260-Rs 280. “Now, live broiler chicken is being sold for around Rs 150-Rs 160 a kg. The prices have gone up at the source too due to the ban, which hit the supply of broiler chicken,” he added.
The order issued by the state government on March 10 said in view of the outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in Jharkhand and Bihar, a temporary ban has been imposed on the entry of poultry through the western border of Assam and the rest of the northeast. Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi witnessed a bird flu outbreak while Bihar is on alert to prevent the avian flu.
State animal husbandry and veterinary minister Atul Bora said though the state has not witnessed any such case, it has decided to impose a temporary ban on transportation of poultry as a precautionary measure.
As there has been a shortfall in the supply of poultry in Assam because of the transportation ban, traders have hiked the price of broiler chicken across Guwahati.
Pankaj Lal Gogoi, president of Poultry Federation of Assam, said it will also impact the prices of different fast food and meals in hotels.