Poultry sector showing signs of revival: APPF

The Andhra Pradesh Poultry Federation (APPF) said the poultry sector across the country was showing signs of revival, after going through a tough time after bird flu virus attack.

The poultry sector suffered over Rs 250 crore in losses in the last three weeks, following a steep fall in the public consumption of poultry products due to the panic caused by the possible incidence of bird flu virus in the country.

At a time when the sector was recovering towards the end of 2003 from high feed prices and low prices of poultry products, the virus dealt a body blow.

Broiler prices which were hovering at Rs 32 per kg plunged to Rs 19 has now has recovered to about Rs 23. Similarly prices of eggs per 100, which were around Rs 154 before the crisis hit the sector fell to Rs 82 per 100, and are now firming up around Rs 84 per 100.

APPF president K Narayana Reddy told a media conference that there was a perceptible change in the mindset of people because of a nation-wide campaign undertaken by the poultry sector that India was free from the virus threat.

Nevertheless, the sector's apex body in the state, APPF, has decided to completely allay public concerns over the virus by organising chicken and egga melas across the state to build public confidence and endear the poultry products once again to the masses.

A chicken and egg mela would be organised in Hyderabad at Necklace Road from 4.30 pm to 8 pm on February 15. It would be followed by similar melas across the important cenres in the state, Narayana Reddy said.

For an entry fee of Rs 50, the public can consume any quantity of a range of chicken and egg products like chicken wings, chicken 65, chicken legs, chicken fry, egg bonda, egg manchuria, egg pudding and biryani.