KOLKATA: A Maha Kumbh-bird flu worry combo has delivered a value punch to dressed hen in Kolkata.
Falling calls for due to pilgrimage season and fears about dealing with poultry has translated to a sudden drop within the value of dressed hen – by as a lot Rs 50-Rs 60 per kilo.
Until about three days in the past, dressed poultry was promoting at Rs 240-Rs 250 per kilo; within the final two days, it has began promoting at Rs 180-Rs 190, with many poultry sellers even resorting to misery gross sales.
Business insiders reasoned that the sudden drop occurred due to each Maha Kumbh (as many pilgrims flip vegetarian), and chook flu (which has been reported from some states not too long ago), though it’s agreed that correctly cooked poultry merchandise are secure to eat.
Madan Mohan Maity, basic secretary, West Bengal Poultry Federation, mentioned: “The continuing Kumbh Mela has led to a decline in hen consumption throughout a number of states, together with in Bengal. Moreover, an inflow of poultry from Odisha and Jharkhand is additional driving costs down.”
This fiscal, the very best per-kilo value of dressed hen recorded in metropolis markets was Rs 260. All through Dec and Jan, the value fluctuated between Rs 240 and Rs 260. The value has, nonetheless, nosedived within the final two days.
‘Correctly cooked poultry is suitable for eating’
In outstanding Kolkata markets, dressed hen is now being offered at Rs 180-Rs 190 per kilo, whereas suburban markets are seeing even decrease charges: Rs 170-Rs 180.
The sudden value drop has made customers each glad and apprehensive. “I purchased 2kg hen right now however my spouse expressed fears of stocking it within the fridge,” mentioned Abhinaba Ghosh, a state govt worker who stays in Barisha.
Some consultants TOI talked to mentioned correctly cooked poultry merchandise had been suitable for eating. The chook flu virus, they mentioned, doesn’t survive in well-cooked eggs and meat, particularly if the meals reaches an inner temperature of 74°C. They, nonetheless, burdened that correct dealing with of eggs and uncooked hen was essential to minimise any likelihood of contamination.
Situations of people having caught chook flu are extraordinarily uncommon internationally, though it is recognized to have occurred – not by way of consuming contaminated meat, however by lengthy publicity to contaminated poultry.
Merchants and business consultants additionally pointed to a unique cause for the falling demand. Satyajit Shinaroy, a Lake Market dealer, attributed the decline additionally to the continued examination season. “Many households keep away from consuming wealthy meals throughout this era, as college students are making ready for board exams. This has additionally contributed to a lower in demand,” he mentioned.
