No panic yet, but restaurants not counting their chickens

With cases of the avian flu (bird flu) being reported from various parts of the country, Goa has decided to prohibit entry of live poultry from the

neighbouring states

– Maharashtra and Karnataka. This could impact the supply of

chicken

in supermarkets, local markets and even restaurants.

Vendors see a decrease in sales

Though Goa hasn’t seen a huge impact yet, there’s a decrease in sales. Bashir, who runs a beef and chicken store in Raia, has gone back to his hometown in Kohlapur as sales have plummeted. “Chicken was sold at `115 a kg, but now it’s `95. People around are a little hesitant to buy,” says Bashir.
Similarly, supermarket chains have seen a decrease in sales too. Ranjit Rajput, cluster manager at Magsons tells us, “We have experienced a 20% decrease in the sales of chicken. People are sceptical that the chicken we get is from other states, though its bred in Goa itself.” However, there’s still demand for gaunti chicken. A lady at Margao market sells her live gaunti roosters for over `1,500 (over three kilos). “People in fact look for these kind as they are healthier.”
Vendors assure customers with added safety measures

After bird flu cases have been confirmed in 10 states including Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, several poultry markets around India has been shut temporarily and supply of chicken and processed chicken items from outside the state is restricted too. However, there’s no shortage of chicken in Goa yet, since many vendors sell chicken bred here itself. “We haven’t seen a decrease in the chicken sales. We don’t procure chicken from any other state. Chicken meat is absolutely safe if it is cooked above 70 degrees,” says Mario Valadares, owner of Royal Foods.
Meanwhile, vendors are doing their bit to assure customers of their safety too. “We have a veterinarian at our poultry farm where checkups are done regularly. This gives people the assurance that the chicken they buy have not been affected,” says SK Sawant, general manager of Royal Foods, Margao.

Restaurants get their supply locally
Restaurants continue to get their supply from local vendors. “There hasn’t been any impact on chicken stock, since, we source everything from local poultry farmers and not from traders across the border,” says Gaurish Naik, from Peep Kitchen,

Taleigao

. Similarly, chef Avinash Martins from Cavatina in Benaulim tells us, “There’s no shortage of chicken yet, since we buy from local, registered firms, and not from across the borders.”
Meanwhile, chicken dishes are still ordered at restaurants. Gaurish tells us, “Since the WHO says that there is no bird flu risk from properly cooked poultry and eggs, we haven’t noticed any panic as of now.” Saleem Khan from Primerose in Sangolda tells, “People are still ordering regularly. In fact, chicken steak is my fastest selling item. Most of our customers are locals.”Some restaurants decide to focus on veg and seafood
Robin Menezes from Charlie Chang’s that runs a delivery kitchen in Porvorim and Caranzalem says, “As of now we haven’t seen an impact, but I am expecting a change in people’s behaviour. Now that there are cases in neighbouring states, there might be drop in sales in the next week. We will capitalise only on seafood and vegetarian if the scare increases.” Similarly, Peep Kitchen is planning a festival with a new menu for their patrons which will include succulent mutton and fresh sea food dishes.