April 13, 2006

 

 

Bird flu: Big issue, but not the biggest one for Indian poultry industry

 

 

Press release 
 

 

According to poultry trade specialist Gordon Butland, the following effects can be expected step by step after bird flu hits a country:

• Immediate drop in poultry consumption
   
• Immediate ban on poultry exports
   
• Cut in production
   
• Intense industry campaign for safety
   
• Drop in poultry prices
   
• Recovery in poultry consumption
   
• Lifting ban on poultry exports

Consumption drop seems to be the most influential factor on the Indian poultry industry after bird flu hit, because most of the production goes towards feeding the nation.  And its consequences were seen to be similar to what Butland observed.

 

Chicken and egg prices in India plunged steadily. This prompted the industry to beef up preventive and control measures throughout the whole supply chain.

 

Only one month after the first bird flu case was reported in India during late February, the prices began to pick up. This reflects that consumer confidence is returning.

 

Butland noted that the magnitude of consumption drop, extent of price drop and timing of recovery in consumption were somewhat unpredictable.

 

The question is why is poultry consumption in India recovering quickly?

 

From his experiences in monitoring global poultry trade, he assumed that was because the bird flu outbreak in India did not cover the whole country as in other affected nations such as Vietnam and Thailand.

 

And importantly, it was also because no one got sick or died of bird flu in India.

 

Although bird flu has become a big issue in India, the industry has a more urgent task to pursue: to produce more chickens and eggs for the country.

 

With the second largest population in the world, India's poultry industry has a huge potential to grow because domestic consumption is still very low. 

 

To produce more chickens and eggs for Indians, domestic poultry production has to be efficient and productive while having high bio-security standards.

 

Thus, the Indian poultry industry needs to update know-how, which is already abundant in India, in order to achieve this.

 

All the major Indian providers of such know-how will exhibit their latest products, services and technology at the International Livestock and Dairy Expo (ILDEX) in Delhi during Aug 27-29, 2006.

 

A number of foreign exhibitors will also participate in the show as they see the potential of the Indian market as well as the South Asian market as a whole.

 

ILDEX is thus a platform for Indian poultry producers seeking new products for improving their operations and sharing experiences in combating bird flu.

 

Tell me more about: International Livestock and Dairy Expo (ILDEX) 2006, India 

 

Coordination:

 

Ms Athicha Khuntong

N.C.C. Exhibition Organizer Co., Ltd.

60 New Rachadapisek Road,

Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 2203-4245

Fax: +66 (0) 2203-4250

E-mail: ildex@qsncc.co.th

Website: www.ildex.com