Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on chicken meat and egg consumption patterns in rural and urban areas

Vijay Kumar, U. Rajkumar, Niranjan, M. And Rao, S.V Rama 2020. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on chicken meat and egg consumption patterns in rural and urban areas. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 55(2): 147–150.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in first and second week of May, 2020 for impact assessment on eggs and chicken consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown period of phase I and II (24^th March- 3^rd May, 2020). Data were collected through semistructured interview schedule among randomly selected 77 consumers from 11 states of India. During the lockdown period 26.9% families left consumption of chicken meat and 20.8% families left eating egg due to panic of COVID 19, non-availability due to supply chain disruption, restrictions of containment zones. The chicken consumption significantly (Pd”0.05) reduced during the COVID lockdown period from 2.5 kg to 1.9 kg per week per family. There was significant decrease in consumption of chicken by 26.9% and eggs by 28% in families who continue to take chicken and eggs during lockdown period. The weekly chicken consumption reduced by40.7 % in high, 4.9% in medium and 15.4% low consumption groups. The impact was visible in low consumption level group, in which majority of Indian consumers fall. Consumers were shifted to other vegetarian source of protein during the lockdown period. The government needs to focus on the creation self-sustaining nutrition centric micro-enterprises/start-ups with emphasis and support to the local production and supply chain.