Eggs and poultry supply constraints in South Africa
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The topical issue in South Africa's agriculture currently is the avian influenza spreading across South Africa. The most dominant strains are the highly pathogenic H5 and H7. The most affected provinces so far are Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo and North West.
We understand that over a hundred mostly commercial facilities have reported avian influenza cases so far. Notably, there are reported losses in parental stock for breeders of layers and in broilers. For this reason, there are now constraints to egg supplies, as evident in various retail shelves across South Africa.
Over the past week, we participated in two critical meetings addressing the immediate challenge. First, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) met with the retailers. The aim was to assess the severity of the egg supplies at the retail level and assess various response measures.
Second, the DALRRD met with the poultry industry to receive an update on the spread of the disease and for the industry to obtain insights into the state's veterinary services.
We discuss more in this week's podcast segment.
My writing on agricultural economic matters is available on my blog: https://wandilesihlobo.com/
Podcast production by: Lwandiso Gwarubana, Richard Humphries, and Sam Mkokeli
We understand that over a hundred mostly commercial facilities have reported avian influenza cases so far. Notably, there are reported losses in parental stock for breeders of layers and in broilers. For this reason, there are now constraints to egg supplies, as evident in various retail shelves across South Africa.
Over the past week, we participated in two critical meetings addressing the immediate challenge. First, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) met with the retailers. The aim was to assess the severity of the egg supplies at the retail level and assess various response measures.
Second, the DALRRD met with the poultry industry to receive an update on the spread of the disease and for the industry to obtain insights into the state's veterinary services.
We discuss more in this week's podcast segment.
My writing on agricultural economic matters is available on my blog: https://wandilesihlobo.com/
Podcast production by: Lwandiso Gwarubana, Richard Humphries, and Sam Mkokeli