Chicken sales slow down but prices stay the same

With the bird flu scare spreading in the city business at shops selling chicken and eggs remained slow on Thursday. Shop owners admitted residents were worried about the flu, but claimed that the sales had not yet been significantly affected.

With the bird flu scare spreading in the city business at shops selling chicken and eggs remained slow on Thursday. Shop owners admitted residents were worried about the flu, but claimed that the sales had not yet been significantly affected.

HT Image

“Prices have remained more or less the same, but there’s no doubt fewer customers are visiting the market. It’s a tad too soon to attribute this to the bird flu scare as the slower business can be due to the chilly weather,” said Vijay Kumar, president of the meat markets association, Sector 21.

While a chicken broiler was available for Rs 160, a tray of 30 eggs was being sold for Rs 130.

During this time of the year, eggs are usually sold for Rs 150 a tray and a broiler for Rs 180.

However, shop owners are expecting prices to fall. “Demand has definitely been affected by the scare,” said Sharvan Kumar, who owns a meat shop in Sector 20.