Egg supplies to normalise early next year as avian flu brought under control

Imports are ensuring egg stock levels are replenishing steadily before the festive season, obviating the need for panic buying, the agriculture department says.

The virulent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza is under control, according to department spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo.

The outbreak led to the culling of millions of chickens since the beginning of the year and a shortage of eggs on shop shelves.

Ngcobo said this is being addressed through imports and the 70% of farms not infected which are continuing to produce eggs and chickens. 

“Since the egg-production cycle is not too long, we expect the situation to normalise early next year. We will continue to import eggs should the situation not improve.”

To prepare for the December festive season, he said the department had granted permits for imports of:

• fertilised eggs — 9-million,
• day-old chicks — 37,802 tonnes
• egg products — 62 tonnes,
• poultry meat — 30,986 tonnes.

“We have increased fertilised eggs from 1.9-million to 9-million in less than one month. These eggs will be chickens in less [than] four months.”

TimesLIVE