A sharp fall
Poultry products such as ducks, chickens and eggs are no longer a wise choice of consumers at the dinner table as a direct result of the bird flu and as consumer demand falls, poultry prices likewise take a nosedive, hitting farmers in the pocketbook.
Dong Tam commune in Bac Giang province is a case in point. Over the past few months, the number of chicken raising households has decreased from 765 to 170 at present.
| Bustling poultry trading at Ha Vy poultry market, the largest of its kind in Hanoi |
Chicken prices plummeted triple to just VND35,000/kg, and egg prices dipped double to merely VND1,200 each.
Low poultry prices and complex bird flu are making farmers extra cautious about investing in chicken flocks and expanding production.
Poultry traders at traditional markets report they are selling much less read-made chickens and ducks than previously.
“Poultry sales have fallen considerably since media agencies first began warning people against bird flu,” said Nguyen Thu Hai, a poultry trader at Nguyen Cong Tru traditional market in Hanoi.
Likewise, restaurants have drastically veered away from poultry in favour of pork, beef and seafood in their menu.
Verified poultry encouraged
To address the current serious imbalance of supply and demand in the market, the Livestock Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has asked localities to enhance communications to ensure consumers clearly understand the disease.
The department emphasises that poultry products which have been verified by veterinarians are safe for consumption if properly cooked.
“Communications should help consumers to easily distinguish between verified poultry products and those of unknown origin,” said Van Dang Ky, head of the epidemiological service under the Animal Health Department.
“If farmers steer away from raising poultry products, both businesses and the livestock industry will face a heavy loss,” he added.
Agricultural experts forecast farmers will not restore poultry flock if the demand continues to decrease for a couple of months. Consequently, markets are in short of food supplies, fuelling their prices and stimulating an illegal import of poultry.
MARD has developed a poultry breeding model in seven northern mountain provinces to be implemented in March, making it easier for farmers to have enough breeds to restore flocks.
It also encourages farmers to apply a biological safety breeding model and disinfect their farms regularly.