The National Poultry Association and SA government reported approximately 7.5 million chickens were culled in an effort to contain outbreaks of two separate strains of bird flu that have threatened to create a shortage of eggs and meat for consumers.

About 205,000 chickens died from bird flu in at least 60 separate outbreaks across the country. The majority of the outbreaks are in Gauteng province, which includes the country’s biggest city, Johannesburg, and the capital, Pretoria.

Some grocery stores in the Capitol, Pretoria and Johannesburg were limiting amounts of eggs customers were allowed to buy— in some cases to one carton of six eggs — and the government acknowledged there were “supply constraints.” Government announced approximately 2.5 million chickens had been culled.

The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) said another 5 million egg-laying chickens had been culled. Izaak Breitenbach, the general manager of SAPA said 7.5 million birds represented 20-30% of the nation’s total chicken stock. Thoko Didiza, South Africa’s Agriculture Minister said government was moving to fast-track new import permits to bring in eggs from other countries.

This will “ensure sufficient supplies for customers,” she said. Didiza’s ministry is also considering embarking on a vaccination program to halt the bird flu outbreaks, after announcing that the number of farms with cases was increasing. Neighbouring country Namibia banned chicken meat and egg imports from South Africa.

Poultry farmers under stress

The bird flu outbreaks are hitting an industry already struggling due to the enormous electricity crisis. Breitenbach said; “ South Africa experienced three major bird flu outbreaks in recent years, and the latest ones are by far the worst,” already costing the industry losses of at least R48M.

“Vaccines must be imported and hopefully, immediately made available for use over the next two to six months,” he added.

Wilhelm Mare, Chairman of the poultry group in the South African Veterinary Association, stated approximately 8.5 million egg-laying chickens could be affected and more than 10 million birds overall. “It reveals we’re going to have problems with this situation for quite a while,” and calls it “catastrophic” for the industry.

In September month The United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention stated that bird flu outbreaks were on the rise globally, with more than 21,000 outbreaks having occurred across the world between 2013 and 2022.

Humans and Bird flu

While eggs are an important and affordable source of protein in South Africa, prices have risen steadily so far this year but the shortages caused by bird flu should push prices up again. It will also contribute towards high food inflation for locals.

Poultry farmers in South Africa already reported in January they have been forced to cull nearly 10 million young chicks, as Africa’s most advanced economy experienced record blackouts at the start of the year, causing production to slow dramatically and leading to overcrowding on chicken farms.

SA’s poultry industry urgently approached government to impose permanent duties on countries like Brazil, Denmark, Poland, Spain, and the United States for fear of the “dumping” of cheap chicken products in the nation, therefore threatening local businesses.

The SA Government’s recently proposed guidelines to larger labels, clearly stating the origin, sell by and consumed by dates might not be such a bad idea, after all. At least the consumer will have the right to purchase or not. Source: VOA