H7N9 virus boosts some businesses, hurts others
Source: Xinhua |
April 23, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A NEW strain of bird flu that has been spotted across China has brought vegetable dealer Xu Jialiang mixed feelings.
For Xu, who has been selling veggies for 20 years in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, the virus is a cause for concern.
In China, 105 people have been diagnosed with the H7N9 virus and 21 have died.
But the changes in food consumption caused by the illness also has presented some with a commercial opportunity.
"Cabbage that was once left to rot has become a hit," said Xu, adding that he recently sold more than 50 tons of cabbage in a single day, double the amount he was selling just two months ago.
"People have become more reluctant to eat poultry, so vegetables have become much more popular," he said.
The poultry-raising industry, restaurants that sell poultry and even producers of shuttlecocks have been impacted by the virus. Figures from the China Animal Agriculture Association showed that direct economic losses for broiler chicken breeders have topped 3.7 billion (US$593 million).
However, other sectors have also been boosted. In addition to vegetable vendors, sellers of traditional Chinese medicine have also profited. At the Zhangshu TCM Wholesale Market, a major TCM market in east China's Jiangxi Province, the price of processed isatis root surged from 13 yuan per kilo to 22 yuan after some claimed it could prevent infection.
Insurance companies are also looking for an opportunity. Ping An Insurance, one of China's largest insurance companies, is selling bird flu insurance that offers 20,000 yuan in compensation if an insured person is confirmed to have become infected. Other firms also offer the insurance.
Experts say poultry is still safe as long as it is purchased through regulated channels and thoroughly cooked.
For Xu, who has been selling veggies for 20 years in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, the virus is a cause for concern.
In China, 105 people have been diagnosed with the H7N9 virus and 21 have died.
But the changes in food consumption caused by the illness also has presented some with a commercial opportunity.
"Cabbage that was once left to rot has become a hit," said Xu, adding that he recently sold more than 50 tons of cabbage in a single day, double the amount he was selling just two months ago.
"People have become more reluctant to eat poultry, so vegetables have become much more popular," he said.
The poultry-raising industry, restaurants that sell poultry and even producers of shuttlecocks have been impacted by the virus. Figures from the China Animal Agriculture Association showed that direct economic losses for broiler chicken breeders have topped 3.7 billion (US$593 million).
However, other sectors have also been boosted. In addition to vegetable vendors, sellers of traditional Chinese medicine have also profited. At the Zhangshu TCM Wholesale Market, a major TCM market in east China's Jiangxi Province, the price of processed isatis root surged from 13 yuan per kilo to 22 yuan after some claimed it could prevent infection.
Insurance companies are also looking for an opportunity. Ping An Insurance, one of China's largest insurance companies, is selling bird flu insurance that offers 20,000 yuan in compensation if an insured person is confirmed to have become infected. Other firms also offer the insurance.
Experts say poultry is still safe as long as it is purchased through regulated channels and thoroughly cooked.
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