Vijayawada: Amid growing concerns over an unidentified viral disease killing millions of chickens in Andhra Pradesh, people are turning to fish, prawns, and other seafood as alternatives. The fear that the disease could spread to humans through chicken consumption has led to a drastic drop in demand for poultry, while seafood markets are witnessing an unprecedented surge in customers.
Chicken, known for its high protein content at an affordable price, is typically the most consumed non-vegetarian food, especially on Sundays. However, widespread rumours on the internet about a mysterious poultry virus have created panic among consumers. As a result, chicken sales plummeted, and prices took a steep fall. The cost of chicken, which was ₹280 per kg last Sunday (February 2), has now dropped to ₹170 per kg, yet buyers remain hesitant.
With mutton prices soaring to ₹900 per kg, consumers are increasingly opting for fish and prawns. Retail fish markets in Vijayawada and other cities have seen long queues, with vendors struggling to meet the sudden spike in demand. “We usually sell around 200 kg of fish every Sunday, but today, we ran out of stock by 9 am,” said K Durga Rao, a fish vendor at Darsipeta Market.
The demand for seer fish, tuna, white pomfret, crabs, and prawns has skyrocketed, leading to a sharp rise in prices. Rohu fish, which was selling for ₹170 per kg a week ago, is now priced at ₹250. Similarly, 50-count prawns that were available for ₹300 per kg have surged to ₹450. The sudden price hike has left many consumers struggling to afford their preferred seafood choices.
