Thu Feb 20 14:33:55 UTC 2025: ## Bird Flu Scare Impacts Vijayawada Restaurants, But Biryani Demand Holds Steady
**Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh –** The bird flu outbreak in Andhra Pradesh is impacting Vijayawada’s restaurant industry, with a significant drop in demand for chicken dishes. However, surprisingly, the demand for chicken biryani has remained relatively resilient, according to the convenor of the Vijayawada Hotels’ Association, P.V. Ramana.
Many restaurants are reporting a steep decline in chicken orders, with some seeing a drop of up to 80%. Several establishments have even temporarily closed due to the scare. Restaurants are switching to mutton and seafood, but high prices (₹1,000/kg for mutton) make these options unprofitable. The plummeting price of chicken (₹150/kg) hasn’t boosted sales due to the persistent lack of customer confidence.
Despite the overall drop in chicken consumption, Mr. Ramana notes that biryani sales have only decreased by 30-40%, indicating a continued appetite for this popular dish. He attributes the decreased demand to a combination of the bird flu scare and the post-festive lull in February. He expects a recovery within three weeks, aided by government initiatives such as planned “Chicken Melas” to promote chicken consumption and address public concerns. Authorities continue to emphasize that properly cooked chicken and eggs are safe to eat.
First Piper 