Poultry industry of Maharashtra had pegged its losses during past 15 days due to drop in sales caused by rumours about corona virus spreading through chicken, at Rs 150 crores.
“The sales declined after February 4 when rumours linking corona virus to chicken consumption emerged on social media. The daily sale of chicken had declined from about 3000 tonnes per day to about 2000 tonnes per day. Sales increased to about 2400 tonnes per day now,” said PG Pedgaonkar, general manager, Venkey’s.
The decline in chicken demand due to Mahashivratri also worsened the total demand in the market.
“Farm gate chicken prices declined by more than 50% taking the daily losses of the state to about Rs 10 crore,” he said.
SP Singh, commissioner, animal husbandry said that the government has registered police complaint against unknown persons.
The central government too had issued a notification clarifying that chicken in India was safe to consume.
Earlier, social media rumours claiming presence of plastic eggs had affected egg sales.
Source: ETRetail
