Bird Flu Scare Hits TG: Poultry Sales Plunge, Prices Drop

Sales plummet as consumers avoid broiler chicken; declined by 40 to 50%, govt to provide relief measures soon

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Khammam/Karimnagar /Nizamabad/Kamareddy

THE fear of bird flu has severely impacted poultry sales across Khammam, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Kamareddy districts, with consumers shifting to fish and red meat.

According to P Sundaram, a chicken seller in Bhadrachalam, sales have declined by 40 to 50% since reports of poultry deaths due to a suspected virus emerged. K Veerababu, a seller in Kothagudem, added that even after reducing prices and offering free half kg chicken per kg sold, buyers remain reluctant.

Recently, thousands of broiler chickens have died due to an unidentified virus in poultry farms across Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts. With confirmed bird flu cases in East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, which are close to Telangana's borders, authorities suspect that the same virus led to poultry deaths. Samples have been sent for testing, and officials are awaiting lab reports.

Meanwhile, sources said that the state government is expected to step in with relief measures soon.

Prices drop, farmers suffer losses The poultry crisis has led to a sharp decline in chicken prices. In Khammam, broiler chicken prices dropped from ₹270 per kg to ₹200, yet sales remain low. In Karimnagar, prices plunged from ₹240 per kg to ₹140 to ₹150 per kg. However, ahead of the mini Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, demand for country chicken surged, causing its price to skyrocket to ₹450 per kg, while mutton prices soared from ₹750 to ₹1,150 per kg.