Team Herald
PANJIM: A disruption in the supply of chicken caused a shortage and price fluctuations in parts of Goa on Sunday.
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According to All Goa Poultry Farmers and Traders’ Association (AGPFTA) president Jaikrishna Naik, the supply was disrupted in some parts of the State as some vehicles laden with the livestock were not allowed to enter Goa from Chandgad-Maharashtra. “Our association had urged the State government to allow entry of vehicles coming from Maharashtra and Karnataka only after conducting proper checks. We said that it must be checked whether the birds which are being brought to the State are healthy or not. After our request, vehicles were being checked before entering Goa. This enraged some vendors in the neighbouring State and they went on strike. This resulted in shortage of chicken in certain parts of the State as we could manage to get it from suppliers from Karnataka,” he said. Naik said, “However, we made enough provision to ensure that supply is not affected. We appeal to the government to ensure that vehicles coming from Maharashtra are checked before entering the State. There is no problem with supply from Karnataka. The issue is only with the Maharashtra suppliers. The vehicles coming from Karnataka should arrive with a fitness certificate of birds, but it is not so in case with those arriving from Maharashtra. Our demand is that those transporting these birds should come through proper channels to ensure Goa receives disease-free chicken.” Claiming that there are some vendors, who are trying to supply chicken without proper checks by selling them at cheaper rates, he said the association will file a formal complaint against those vendors.
Meanwhile, chicken retailers in Panjim admitted to chicken shortage due to supply issues, but prices remained the same. On Sunday, Desi Chicken was sold at Rs 300 per kg, Layer Chicken at 220 per kg and broiler chicken at Rs 170 per kg. However, traders from Bicholim said that due to the shortage, the rates ranged between Rs 180 and Rs 200 per kg. “Chicken prices have gone up. Whole chicken is available at Rs 300 a kg. We do not know how long this will continue. It may be resolved tomorrow or take more time,” Premanand Gawas, a chicken vendor said. Another chicken vendor said, “The chicken at present is sold at Rs 170-Rs 180 per kg. Earlier, it was being sold at Rs 150 a kg. Today, we have been badly hit as sales are more than other days.”
The State consumes around 70 tonnes of chicken per day and supply on Sunday was around 55 tonnes. Manna Bepari, President of the Qureshi Meat Traders’ Association of Goa (QMTAG), admitted to the chicken shortage in some parts of Goa on Sunday. “The issue has been resolved following assurance from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The supply will resume tomorrow. The problem was experienced today,” he said.
