Corn prices are stable; Avian Influenza - Awareness needed

Corn prices are stable

It is now about 35 days since Avian Influenza struck Indian poultry sector. The average corn prices in the markets have not softened as yet. Some indicative prices at the end of the week, Red $127 per MT down from $ 131 per MT last week, Local $137 per MT, up from $ 113 per MT of last week, Yellow $136 per MT, up from $126 of last week. In the state markets the only major drop was seen in Maharashtra were the prices dropped to $118 per MT from last weeks $123 per MT. In Bihar, where the new crop has started to arrive, the prices moved up a bit at $143 per MT against $133 per MT of last week.

The average price of corn in the market yards across the country was $129.00per MT and did not change from last week. Last year the price at this time was $126.75 per MT.

Reports also indicate that the as the wheat prices are higher in the state and wheat is retailing at Rs.12.00 per kg ($0.27 per kg) and Corn is retailing @ Rs.7.00 ($0.16 per kg), the lower class is shifting to corn as food, thus not allowing the prices to come down.

Bajra – Pearl Millet prices notched up at $147 per MT at the market yard, up from $141 per Mt last week. Grain Sorghum (Jowar) was selling at $177 per MT, against last weeks $170 per MT. Last year same time the price of Sorghum was $145 per Mt at the market yard.

CBOT closed at $86.04 per MT for May 2006 delivery, down by almost $1.16 per MT for May delivery. The FOB value though remained same at about $104 per MT. These are indicative prices only.

Avian Influenza - Awareness needed

This week, Pakistan was the latest victim of H5N1. In India, though no new cases have been reported, the consumption is still affected. Prices to the farmers are still ruling much below cost of production and the industry is loosing heavily as the days pass by. There will be many small farmers who will not be able to sustain these losses and might need to look for jobs outside the poultry business.

Though the Finance Minister has urged the banks to reschedule the loans, give a moratorium on interest for one year and treat working capital as long term loan, it is yet to seen if the same is implemented.

The major issue today is to get the chicken and eggs back on the plate. The consumers must be made aware that eating cooked chicken and eggs is absolutely safe. The house-wife, mother must be convinced that it is safe to feed chicken and eggs to the family.

The media, especially the electronic media can play a major role in this awareness campaign as it has the reach to the masses. A district / state authorities can also help in creating awareness. If an awareness campaign on “HAND WASHING” can be started, why not on eating chicken and eggs, which provide protein to the nation and is some cases the very backbone of the economy of the area, providing job security to many people in rural India.

Amit Sachdev
Representative
U S Grains Council, India
bluecross303@gmail.com

March 25, 2006