Vijayawada: The outbreak of bird flu in Andhra Pradesh has sent shockwaves through the poultry industry, leading to a sharp decline in chicken sales. Fearful consumers have drastically reduced their purchase of poultry products, leaving many chicken shops without buyers. The situation has worsened as neighboring states, including Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, have imposed bans on importing broiler chickens and eggs from Andhra Pradesh, further crippling the sector.
The state’s poultry industry, which supplies lakhs of chicken eggs to north eastern states, is now struggling with stalled exports. The panic escalated after reports of bird flu infections surfaced, causing confusion among poultry farmers who are unable to sell their stock. Sue to lack of buyers, farm owners are facing significant financial losses as they continue feeding chickens that they cannot sell.
Misinformation on social media has only fueled public fear. Many believe that consuming infected poultry could transmit bird flu, despite experts stating that properly cooked chicken is safe. In major cities like Vijayawada and Guntur, several chicken shops have remained shut for over a week. “Even after offering a ₹50 discount per kilogram, no one is willing to buy. We have over 100 chickens in our shop, and people are even afraid to step inside,” said M Hanumanthu, a poultry shop owner in Governorpet.
While some restaurants are attempting to revive sales by offering discounts on chicken dishes, consumer hesitation remains strong. In response, eateries are promoting expert opinions on social media, emphasizing that cooking chicken at temperatures above 100°C eliminates any risk of infection. Despite these efforts, the fear surrounding bird flu continues to take a heavy toll on the poultry industry.
