Bird flu outbreaks, the worst in the country’s history, resulted in the culling of 9.5 million chickens – most of them in the broiler (chicken) industry.
Chicken production has recovered because the importation of millions of hatching eggs kept the supply lines operating. Production has been at the normal rate of 21.5 million birds per week since the end of last year. Quality table eggs are difficult to import, so egg producers continue to battle.
Food For Mzansi looked at the situation in the country’s egg and chicken industries.
Dr Abongile Balarane, head of the egg organisation at the SA Poultry Association (SAPA) laid out the egg industry challenges. He said the two biggest concerns related to bird flu – whether there would be renewed outbreaks this year, and whether a sufficient number of egg farmers would be able to vaccinate their flocks in time.
If all went well, he said, it would take at least 12 months to get back to normal egg production levels.
“The situation is slightly improving. We are also concerned and hoping that 2024 will not be an avian influenza year, but we cannot confirm that because of mother nature. We are hoping to see vaccines enrolled soon by the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform.”
Vaccines and protocols had been approved for the internationally prevalent H5 strain, but not yet for the H7 strain – so far unique to South Africa – that devastated chicken flocks in the country’s northern provinces last year.
Balarane said egg producers had imported several million hatching eggs to help rebuild the national flock, but very few table eggs. Bulk imports of egg powder and liquids had enabled producers to divert fresh table eggs to retail markets.
Poultry farmers and communities have been urged to vaccinate their chicks and enforce tough biosecurity measures on their farms to ensure that their livelihoods are not impacted.
The broiler (chicken) industry was recovering and production was already back to normal, said Izaak Breitenbach, head of SAPA’s broiler organisation.
Neither poultry farmers nor industry analysts are expecting any chicken shortages now that the bird flu threat has abated.
“SAPA recently conveyed its research and findings on the current chicken supply to the department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, advising that there is currently no shortage of chicken on the local market,” he said.
