The Hindu Business Line : Southern markets unruffled by bird flu

Resurfaces again: A poultry trader carrying chicken to a retail market in Kolkata on Tuesday despite bird flu spreading to Malda district in West Bengal. Avian influenza has now resurfaced in Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh besides Bengal. Culling of birds in the affected areas is in full swing. –

Gayathri G

Chennai, Dec. 16 Even as the north-eastern States are grappling with the avian flu outbreak, major egg producer Namakal remains unruffled with its business as usual with negligible/lesser impact on the export front.

The avian influenza resurfaced in Malda district of West Bengal on Tuesday, while the flu has also been reported in Arunachal Pradesh. Besides, operations are in full swing to cull birds in the affected areas in Assam and Meghalaya.

Price cut

On Monday, the Namakkal Zonal Committee of NECC cut the wholesale egg procurement price for the first time after three months by 12 paise a piece to Rs 1.90. “This rate cut is due to less domestic offtake on account of Sabarimala season and the bird flu scare will have a less impact on the southern markets,” an NECC spokesman told Business Line. Due to the decrease in price, every egg producer was facing loss of 40 paise/egg, he said.

Exports affected

Egg trade sources said the resurfacing of bird flu incidents will not impact the markets in the South, which are far removed from the affected poultry zone. However, it may have a bearing on exports to West Asia. Exports, however, continue to other markets such as Maldives, Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Africa.

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