Avian Flu Outbreak Likely to Cause Egg Shortage in South Africa, Warns Poultry Association

The South African Poultry Association has sounded an alert of a probable egg shortage in the country due to the outbreak of avian flu. Following the occurrence of the disease in several commercial layer farms earlier this year, retailers such as Spar and Woolworths have already begun notifying customers of this imminent shortage by placing notices inside their establishments.

The avian flu, which is highly contagious and lethal to birds, has been identified in two commercial layer farms in the Paardeberg area, lying within the Drakenstein and Swartland Local Municipalities. The disease has seen a worldwide outbreak and was detected in various other provinces of South Africa during 2022 and earlier in 2023.

According to Dr Abongile Balarane, General Manager of the egg board at the South African Poultry Association, the avian flu outbreak has caused substantial havoc in the country's poultry industry, marking it the third occurrence of this disease within the nation.

The threat is so critical that 'eggs from those farms will not be sold in trade or market but will be destroyed. The infected chickens will be culled, and even the feed on the farm will also be destroyed,' states Dr Balarane. This scenario paints a grim picture of a tightened egg supply for the country.