Mangalore: Chicken prices head marginally south on flu scare

Mangalore, 11 Nov 2012 (TOI): The prices of chicken, both live and meat, have dropped by almost 20%-30% in the coastal city following the avian flu scare, even though no cases have been reported from here so far.

 

Restaurants which procure meat daily are making a killing as they have not reduced prices and others who have annual contract say they cannot reduce as their rates are pre-fixed.

 

According to Lester D’Souza, managing partner of Souza Hatcheries, the prices started dropping about 20 days ago. "The rates have not gone back to the pre-Avian Flu scare days. This scare, coupled with un-liquidated stocks due to sealing of Kerala border added to the woes. Now the situation seems to be improving as prices have moved up marginally,’’ he said.

 

DK Hotel Owners Association Vice President Ahmed Fakruddin, who procures meat on a daily basis, said, "We cannot reduce the prices of dishes as the prices have been fluctuating wildly. Also during Deepavali season, the prices of chicken come down as Hindus go vegetarian for about a week.

 

Lester added, "The Diwali season demand reduction is factored in as it is an annual feature. But the price drop started happening 20 days ago due to the Avian Flu scare."

 

Norbert Crasta, a poultry retailer at Kadri said, "This festive season there is no buying sentiment like last year. It is not only restricted to chicken to say that Avian Flu has scared consumers. This has been prevailing since October. Now, even if prices are down, there are no takers. The downward sales slide can partly be attributed to the flu scare."

 

A prominent hotelier said, "We will not reduce the prices. Let us also enjoy a little more profits during the festive time. We bore the brunt of price rise since the past one year and did not pass it on to the customers. Now it is our time to line our pockets."