TAXILA, April 15: The poultry industry that plummeted after the reports of bird flu seems recovering from the shock as chicken prices in the twin-cities witnessed a 22 per cent increase.

The fading psychological fear of bird flu as well as exorbitant prices of beef and mutton has made customers to resume chicken consumption. After the detection of avian influenza virus H5 in some areas of NWFP the demand for chicken had dipped drastically to Rs40 per kg but the poultry market was getting strength.

A market survey showed sudden increase in the prices of the chicken during the current week as the retailers are selling chicken at Rs52 to Rs55 per kg in markets. The price increased to Rs55 per kg from Rs40 to Rs42 per kg. The increasing sale of the chicken was the proof of the fact that the masses are gradually coming out of the fear of bird flu.

It was also found out that shopkeepers of Rawalpindi were far more satisfied with the sale of chicken. One shopkeeper said that his customers were reverting to the habit of buying the chicken meat in bigger quantities.

Naseer Ahmed, an office bearer of local poultry association said that the poultry business was stabilizing again. The poultry farm rate during the last week was Rs 1,950 per 40 kg that increased from Rs1,500 per 40 kg. The poultry farm rates before the bird flu rumours were between Rs2,700 to 2,500 per 40 kg.

Another wholesaler said the chicken business was back to normal.

He said before bird flu he used to sell about 80-maund of chicken daily but during last month the sale dropped to 20 to 25 maunds per day. The demand slightly went up during the first week of April, he added.

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