July 31, 2007

India's poultry organization urges farmers to maintain egg prices

India's National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) has called on farmers not to be cowed by traders into reducing their egg prices in the aftermath of bird flu.

Traders in the north zone may pull down prices citing the excuse that India's egg exports would be banned, said Delhi zone NECC Chairman Harish Juneja

India recently confirmed its first bird flu outbreak in a year in Manipur, a remote north-eastern state bordering Myanmar.  

Prices for exports in non-affected areas should not be brought down since the bird flu situation is under control, Juneja said.

Cases of profiteering have emerged, whereby traders are reportedly forcing prices down by citing bird flu fears and buying huge quantities so as to sell at higher rates during winter.

Juneja further emphasized that there was a need to educate the public on the safety of consuming poultry products in non-affected areas.