Chicken biryani sales have dwindled amid fears of bird flu.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
The bird flu scare has rattled Hyderabad, striking at the heart of the city’s culinary identity — its beloved chicken biryani. A staple at gatherings and a go-to comfort food, this iconic dish is now met with caution as whispers of the flu spread. Diners are hesitating, casting wary glances at their once-favourite order and restaurants are grappling with dwindling sales. Amid this scenario, mutton has stepped in as the hero of the hour, though soaring demand is driving prices through the roof.
Ashmeet Singh Dua, owner of Papa Ji Ka Dhaba in Abids, a local haunt since 1985, observes the changing trends in customer preferences. “People are scared and avoiding chicken,” he says. “While news reports suggest caution rather than an outright ban, people are more conscious these days. The sudden spike in mutton demand has led to supply shortages from our usual vendors, and prices are rising as a result.”
The shift in demand is equally noticeable at Hotel Paradise, a well-known name in Hyderabad’s food scene. A spokesperson reveals that there has been a 10% drop in chicken biryani sales, adding, “We have managed to handle the supply so far and will continue catering to customers based on demand.”
Ketan Agarwal, owner of Fat Pigeon and Peanuts Bar, expresses similar concerns: “Obviously, people are scared and no longer prefer chicken. I even noticed a popular fried chicken joint struggling at the airport with empty seats. Mutton supply is being hit, and the surge in demand is massive. We need to figure out how to meet it.”
A staff member of a popular restaurant at Suchitra Circle shares insights into their kitchen’s shifting dynamics. “Earlier, we would prepare around 70-80 handis of biryani daily, with 50 dedicated to chicken and only 15 for mutton. Now, the number of mutton handis has tripled, and the demand for chicken is plummeting,” he says.
Published – February 18, 2025 02:23 am IST
