Bird Flu Scare Impacts Hyderabad’s Poultry and Meat Market

The bird flu scare in Hyderabad has led to a sharp decline in chicken prices as demand plummets, while red meat prices have surged due to an increasing consumer shift. Poultry vendors are facing heavy losses, whereas mutton sellers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand, especially with Ramzan approaching.

Syed Hashmi, owner of Taj Chicken Centre in Baba Nagar Colony, Mallapur, highlighted the drastic drop in sales: “Chicken prices have fallen from ₹210 to ₹195 per kilogram, but even that isn’t helping. I usually sell around 200 chickens a day, but now I am struggling to sell even 10, even on a Sunday.”

As customers turn away from poultry, mutton and beef vendors are experiencing an unexpected boom. Meat sellers report that mutton prices have increased from ₹750 per kilogram to ₹850, with some areas witnessing prices crossing ₹900 due to heightened demand. “People are worried about bird flu, and with Ramzan coming up, the preference for red meat has skyrocketed,” said Mohammad Azeem, a mutton vendor at Mallepally market.

Meanwhile, restaurant owners and hoteliers are grappling with fluctuating supply costs. Many eateries that rely heavily on chicken-based dishes are witnessing reduced orders, while biryani outlets are increasing mutton-based offerings to meet customer preferences.

Health officials have reassured the public that properly cooked poultry is safe to consume, but concerns persist, significantly impacting Hyderabad’s poultry industry. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are urging citizens to follow hygiene protocols when handling raw meat.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *