W12: Weekly Poultry & Egg Update
Chicken
As part of the work agenda to face the avian flu crisis, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) called a meeting to inform the countries of Latin America about the plan of action that the entity will make to control the advance of the disease in the region. The meeting, which started on Mar 21 and will last for three days, will be attended by the heads of veterinary services in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as authorities from the World Health Organization Animal Health (OMSA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Netherlands: Vaccines Against Bird Flu Have Been Successfully Tested (Mar 23)
Two vaccines have been shown to be effective in protecting chickens from bird flu. This is evidenced by the research of the University of Wageningen. In laboratory conditions, vaccination protects chickens against bird flu and prevents the spread of the virus. Four different vaccines have been tested in the laboratory on chickens. Each vaccine was administered to ten chickens. Eventually, half of these chickens were infected with the bird flu virus. For two of the four vaccines, the chickens did not get bird flu and the virus did not spread. On the farm, chickens have to fight against various diseases and other vaccinations. Therefore, the two successful vaccines will be tested in several poultry farms. This so-called field study will begin this summer. However, vaccines are only suitable for a few types of poultry.
US: Pork and Poultry Production Growth an Uphill Battle (Mar 23)
After a decade of significant growth, with the US broiler industry producing 25% more pounds of chicken with just 12% more birds and the US swine industry producing 16% more pork with only 5% more sows, productivity has plateaued. While Rabobank expects the animal protein industry to overcome short-term health and genetic challenges, the multinational banking and financial services company say regulations will continue to be burdensome, decelerating any anticipated future production growth. Those regulatory changes include the restricted use of antibiotics and feed additives, the call for new animal housing requirements, and product labeling.
Brazil: Mato Grosso Chicken Exports Grew by 130% In the First Two Months (Mar 21)
Poultry meat exports in Mato Grosso grew 130% in the first two months. Compared to the same period last year, chicken export revenue jumped from USD 18M to USD 41M. In volume, the increase is 114%, going from 9K MT to 19K MT. The survey appears in the Comex MT Bulletin, produced by the International Business Center (CIN) of the Federation of Industries of Mato Grosso (Fiemt). The data also show that the state remains in the eighth position in the national ranking of exports of this product and corresponds to about 3% of the national share. “The main operations are for the Middle East and Asia, with a smaller volume being sold to Africa and Central America. More than 7K MT were exported to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates alone, equivalent to USD 16.5M”, points out Antonio Lorenzzi, CIN/Fiemt supervisor. In addition to these countries, Japan imported USD 7M (2.8K MT), Yemen USD 4.5M (2.2K MT), and Qatar USD 3.6M (1.7K MT).
Brazil: Declines for Frozen and Chilled Chicken in São Paulo (Mar 22)
On Mar 22, prices were stable or with falls for the chicken market. According to an analysis by Cepea/Esalq, the high prices of chicken meat registered at the beginning of March, although timid, sustained the partial average of the month. The agency's researcher, Juliana Ferraz, explains that, even with the recovery trend in prices, the internal market for chicken has been having difficulties in advancing, with a kind of "bottleneck" to pass on increases to the consumer end. In São Paulo, according to Scot Consultoria, poultry on the farm remained stable at USD 0.96/kg (BRL 5.00), while chicken wholesale fell by 0.78%, costing USD 1.23/kg (BRL 6.37). In the case of live animals, São Paulo had no price reference. In Santa Catarina, the price has not changed, at USD 0.83/kg (R$4.29), as well as in Paraná, fixed at USD 0.94/kg (R$4.89). According to information from Cepea/Esalq, referring to Mar 21, frozen poultry dropped 0.55%, reaching USD 1.40/kg (R$ 7.26), while chilled chicken dropped 0.68%, closing at USD 1.40/kg (R$ 7.25).
Brazil: Brazilian Chicken Meat Exports Should Remain Strong in March, Points Out Itaú BBA (Mar 22)
After registering a substantial advance in chicken meat exports in February, Brazil should have a vigorous performance for shipments in March, according to an analysis released by the Itaú BBA bank. So far, the country has had no cases of avian influenza, and despite the uncertainties regarding the possible entry of the virus into Brazil and its spread, if the disease-free status in the country remains, this should favor exports. Still, on the relationship between exports and the threat of avian flu, the report points out that the attache of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Brazil projects that Brazilian production of chicken meat should expand by 2.5% in the year, reaching 14.8M MT, and exports, 3.4% up, reaching 4.6M MT. For Itaú BBA analysts, this scenario is "conservative" for shipments if Brazil continues without cases of avian influenza.
Brazil: Never Had Such a High Risk for Avian Flu, Says Rabobank Analyst (Mar 23)
In a conversation with Agro Times, Wagner Yanaguizawa, economic analyst for animal protein at Rabobank said that Brazil has never had such a high risk for avian flu. The expert also said that, at the moment, the embargo on beef in China has not resulted in significant impacts on chicken meat prices. The big point of attention for chicken meat is the issue of avian flu. These are unprecedented cases in South America that started at the end of October 2022, we already have 9 countries affected; Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina have already registered cases in commercial farms and suspended exports, and Brazil has never been at such a high risk of entry of this virus in national territory, alert. Even so, Rabobank does not work with the entry of the virus into the industry. Brazilian production, which is concentrated in the south of Brazil, has intensified animal health protocols in recent months.
In the first half of March, after four consecutive months of decline, slaughtered chicken once again experienced appreciation, reaching an average price almost 10% higher than that recorded in the first half of the previous month, February. But it still remained with a difference of less than 2.5% compared to the average value reached last January. In any case, it is worth remembering that part of the initial prices in January reflect, by inertia, market conditions during the Festive period. Thus, it is likely that the best average of the current year was recorded in the first half of March. Even so, the fortnight ended with the worst result of the last 11 months. That is: only the value reached a year ago, in the first half of March 2023, was above the most recent average. In this case, the nominal appreciation was close to 8.5%, or around 4% if we consider accumulated inflation over the last 12 months.
In the period, the volume destined for China was almost a quarter higher than in the same period last year and generated a 52% increase in foreign exchange revenue. Such performance represented a participation of 14.30% of the total exported in the two months and of 17.95% of the resulting revenue, indices that correspond to increases of, respectively, 23% and 27% in relation to that registered in the twelve months of 2022. But what draws attention in the two-month period is the emergence of Iraq among the 10 main importers of the Brazilian product, with a 502% increase in imported volume. This result represented more than half of the total imported by Iraq in 2022 (56.24K MT) and made that country rise from the 29th position (1st quarter of 2022) to the eighth position this year. Furthermore, the table of the 10 main importers is the same as a year ago, only true “musical chairs” can be observed between some of them.
Poland: Chicken Meat Market (Mar 24)
On Mar 6-12, a slight increase in purchase prices of monitored types of poultry was observed in poultry plants. Broiler chickens were purchased at USD 1.35/kg (PLN 5.86), USD 0.0092/kg (PLN 0.04) more than a week earlier, and 3% more than a month ago. The price of gutted chicken carcasses amounted to USD 2.18/kg (PLN 9.43), more by USD 0.0069/kg (PLN 0.03) than in the previous week and by 10% from a month ago.
Bulgaria: Chicken So Far No Decline (Mar 21)
Bulgarian chicken meat production is predicted to remain stable in 2023 between 105-107K MT. The strong demand in the domestic market, especially during a good summer tourist season, as well as the concentration in production are reasons for the optimistic forecast. There are market concerns regarding the channeling of larger quantities to the European market from Ukraine, where if this import exceeds 130K MT, it will drag prices down, according to SARA analysts.
Peru: Chicken Sells for up to USD 3.58/KG in Lima Markets (Mar 20)
Although the supply of the main foods has normalized in the Great Wholesale Market of Lima (GMML), and a large part of the products register a downward behavior, the opposite happens with the price of chicken which continues to rise. On March 20, it reached USD 3.58/kg (S/13.50) in the capital's retail markets. As La República was able to verify, in the Nueva Aurora de Jesús María market, the meat of this bird rose from USD 2.65/kg (S/10) to USD 3.58/kg (S/13.5). While in Market No. 3 in Breña it was sold at USD 3.32/kg (S/12.5). For its part, in the Las Flores Market, it reached USD 3.45/kg (S/13). In the Limoncillo del Rímac market, this meat was not sold. Traders claim that the high prices are due to the scarcity of food and the price of the bird.
Vietnam: Vietnamese Poultry Sellers Face Tough Competition From Imports (Mar 23)
The local consumption of chicken in Vietnam has seen an increase in recent years, but the signing of free trade agreements and ongoing smuggling of poultry had led to fierce competition in the local market. Local poultry farmers face increasing costs, as seen around the world. Locally, bran prices increased 6 times within just 6 months. Another factor that has impacted local producers is the decline in the land fund for livestock in the country. The Law on Livestock 2018 regulated that livestock production would no longer be permitted in the inner city. And, due to the recent increase in housing prices, many households choose to sell their land or stop raising livestock to make a profit. Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a message aimed to prevent illegal trading and smuggling of poultry into the country to prevent the risk of disease infection. The ministry is urging provinces and cities to strengthen inspection, supervision, and control, especially at border points, making specific mention of southern border provinces.
Indonesia: Chicken Meat and Egg Prices Fly (Mar 20)
The price of compact breed chicken meat and eggs rose by USD 0.021 (Rp. 310) and USD 0.017 (Rp. 260), respectively, to USD 2.29/kg (Rp. 34.5K) of chicken meat and to USD 1.92/kg (Rp. 28.98K) of eggs. This price is the daily national average at the retailer level. The current price for purebred chicken eggs is far from the price for the same period in 2022, which was still USD 1.62/kg (Rp. 24.48). However, the current price of chicken meat is still below the price of the same period last year which was USD 2.36/kg (Rp. 35.53). Previously, Chairperson of the Association of National Chicken Farmers Association (GOPAN) Pardjuni said the use of corn in chicken feed production was around 50%.
Egypt: Brazilian Chickens Filled the Ramadan Gap, but Local Prices Are High (Mar 21)
Dr. Tharwat Al-Zeini, Vice President of the Federation of Poultry Producers, confirmed that Brazilian chickens have bridged the gap for entering the month of Ramadan, but poultry prices are still high and are linked to the cost of fodder, and the crisis must be resolved entirely, not partially. Al-Zaini said that there has been a balance in prices during the past few days, as the price of a kilogram of poultry ranges between USD 2.23 and 2.27 (69 and 70 pounds), the price of a farm and eggs is USD 3.04 and USD 3.07 (94 and 95 pounds), and there were expectations of an increase in prices with the beginning of Ramadan. Al-Zaini added that there are also significant declines in the prices of chicks, which is not a good indicator, because there is a reluctance to enter new breeds, which are linked to the quantities of fodder, as the price of a ton of corn reached USD 647.29 (20K pounds), and a ton of soy reached USD 1.18K (36.5K pounds), and it is not available, explaining that the backbone of the industry is feed.
Egypt: Poultry Prices Stabilized on March 25 (Mar 25)
On March 25, the third day of Ramadan 2023, poultry prices witnessed stability in the local market due to the recent release of quantities of feed ingredients during the last period, in addition to importing large quantities of poultry to control the markets. The kilo of white chickens at the farm recorded a new decrease, bringing the price per kilo to USD 2.13 (66 EGP) and reaching the consumer in stores at USD 2.26/kg (70 EGP), depending on the region. While the price of a kilo of red chicken (Sasso) in farms ranged at about USD 3.55/kg (110 EGP) and reaches the consumer at a price of USD 3.72 (115 EGP). The price of municipal chickens on the farm was USD 3.23/kg (100 EGP), and the consumer price ranged from USD 3.39 (105 EGP). For his part, Dr. Tharwat El-Zeini, Vice President of the Poultry Producers Union, said that the rise in the prices of white poultry in Egypt is due to the rise in the prices of feed and production requirements globally due to the Russian-Ukrainian war and the high costs of shipping and transportation globally, especially since about 70% of the raw materials used in the feed industry are imported in Egypt.
Ukraine: Chicken Carcasses Rose in Price in February to USD 2.29/KG (Mar 20)
In February 2023, the average consumer price for chicken carcasses increased by 2.6%, up to USD 2.29/kg (UAH 84.63) against USD 2.23/kg (UAH 82.45) in January. This is evidenced by the data of the State Statistics Service. Compared with February 2022, the price of chicken carcasses increased by 14.2% from USD 2.01/kg (UAH 74.12). In turn, the average consumer price of chicken fillet in February this year increased by 1.8%, up to USD 3.85/kg (UAH 142.22) against USD 3.78/kg (UAH 139.65) in January. Compared to February 2022, the average consumer price of fillets increased by 15% from USD 3.35/kg (UAH 123.63).
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced two tenders for the purchase and supply of compound feed for poultry and day-old chicks. This was reported by the organization's press service. "Within the program, the most vulnerable rural households living in nine front-line regions will be provided with 162.5kg of starter protein-vitamin-mineral feed supplement (in 25kg kits) and 195K day-old chickens (in 30-chicken kits in to everyone)," the message reads.
Ukraine: Domestic Researchers Bred New Breeds of Chickens (Mar 22)
New breeds were bred at the state poultry research station of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine: laying hens Slobozhanka and Gray, a breed with double productivity when roosters are fattened for meat and hens for eggs. According to the director of the institution, Oleg Katerynych, the gene pool of chickens of various productivity areas is also kept here: egg-laying, Birkivska barvysta; egg-meat, Poltava Clay, the only officially registered breed of Ukrainian chickens; 2 populations of resynthesized Ukrainian chickens with cuckoo and black plumage; meat and egg, Hercules white and Hercules colored. They also support the gene pool of white broad-breasted turkeys, namely the two original lines of the Kharkiv medium-type cross.
Bangladesh: Broiler Chicken Price Over USD 1.90 (Mar 22)
The price of each unit of broiler chicken can in no way exceed USD 1.90 (Tk200), but the consumers are being charged up to USD 2.67 (Tk280) in various markets in the capital, the chief of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection said on Mar 22. AHM Shafiquzzaman made the comments after visiting a kitchen market in the capital's New Market area. He expected concerned authorities to take steps to ease consumers' inflation burden. If there is an irregularity in any market, action will be taken against the concerned market management committee, he said. Earlier, the consumer rights protection directorate sent a market report to the commerce ministry as well as the ministry of fisheries and livestock claiming industrial-level production cost of each broiler chicken is USD 1.29- 1.33 (Tk135-140) and that for marginal farmers is USD 1.52 (Tk160).
Mexico: Mexican Poultry Imports Increased by 26.1% (Mar 23)
The Agricultural Markets Consulting Group (GCMA) reported that in the accumulated between January and February, total meat exports (80.06K MT.) fell 14.3% while total imports rose 11.6% with a 25.4% higher value. Imports of poultry meat registered a record in the period, in the order of 160K MT, after an increase of 26.1%, due to a decrease in the price of 12% per unit, remaining at USD 1.08K. Mexican exports remained at minimum levels with 364MT, a figure 50% lower compared to January-February of the previous year, due to a lower presence in all markets.
Uruguay: Government Will Acquire 10M Doses to Vaccinate Chickens (Mar 24)
In view of the epidemiological threat of the avian flu detected, the Government will start the process of vaccinating laying and breeding hens, Minister Mattos announced. In addition, he explained that 10M doses will be imported from Mexico and France, for a double vaccination scheme. “The circulation for humans is very low and there are no problems with the consumption of poultry products,” he said.
Turkey
Germany: German Turkey Farmers Fear for Their Future (Mar 24)
In December of the previous year, the green minister presented his "key points on the minimum requirements for fattening turkeys" in order to "close gaps in the livestock husbandry ordinance", as it was said. In Berlin, the intention was to initiate a professional discourse at an early stage, and has since received a lot of criticism. Most recently, CSU agricultural spokesman Artur Auernhammer made people sit up and take notice. He described the planned specifications as “a danger and a fatal signal” for the turkey keepers. The stocking density proposed by the Minister of Agriculture became the main point of criticism. Stocking density is sour. For cocks, the Berlin officials propose 40 kg per m2, for hens only 35 kg should be allowed. In addition, an upper limit for the number of animals per m2 was formulated with 1.9 cocks and 3.1 hens.
Poland: Turkey Meat Market (Mar 24)
On Mar 6- 12, the average price of turkeys was USD 2.07/kg (PLN 8.94) and was higher by USD 0.012/kg (PLN 0.05) than in the previous week, but lower by USD 0.0046/kg (PLN 0.02) than a month ago. Turkey carcasses were sold at USD 3.45/kg (PLN 14.92), which is 4% more expensive than in the previous week, but 1% cheaper than a month ago.
Duck
Poland: Duck Meat Market (Mar 24)
On Mar 6- 12, broiler duck suppliers obtained USD 1.78/kg (PLN 7.71) compared to USD 1.78/kg (PLN 7.69) a week earlier and USD 1.78/kg (PLN 7.72) in the second week of February this year. Compared to the prices obtained a year ago, broiler chickens were more expensive by 19%, turkeys by 26%, and broiler ducks by 21%.
Egg
The Association of Chicken Egg Producers, Traders, and Exporters pointed out that the bird flu epidemic caused a global shortage of chicken eggs in Thailand without problems, with prices adjusted according to market mechanisms. Mr. Mongkol Pipatsattayanuwong President of the Association of Producers, Traders, and Exporters of Chicken Eggs said that the global bird flu epidemic is now causing many countries to destroy hens, resulting in a shortage of chicken eggs, such as the United States, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, etc., causing consumers to suffer from high prices, purchase quantity limit and difficult to access. While Thailand is well protected, there is no problem with poultry farms. People have enough productivity.
Thailand: Exporting 320K Chicken Eggs to Taiwan (Mar 22)
As the Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development previously revealed that Thailand was able to successfully open the export market for fresh chicken eggs to Taiwan and can be implemented immediately in March 2023 due confidence in the production standards, quality, and food safety of Thailand. On March 22, 2023, Mr. Veterinarian Sophat Chawankul, Deputy Director General of the Department of Livestock Development revealed after presiding over the release of a container containing fresh chicken eggs to Taiwan at Kasemchai Food Co., Ltd., Nakhon Pathom Province, that the export of this first container of eggs. It is exported from a chicken egg collection center certified for export by the Department of Livestock Development, amounting to 320K eggs, worth about USD 44K (1.5M baht). It is expected that in 2023, there will be more than 50M fresh eggs from Thailand to Taiwan, worth more than USD 6.71M (230M baht), which will create a new market. It has a positive effect on maintaining a balance between production and consumption and stabilizes the price that farmers sell in the country.
Bulgaria: Eggs Imported From Ukraine Are Safe for Consumption (Mar 24)
Eggs imported from Ukraine are safe for consumption, the BHAB reported. "The final results of the official control sample of fresh chicken eggs, class A, originating from Ukraine, imported during the period Mar 9-19 have been released. The analysis was carried out in the accredited Central Laboratory of Veterinary-Sanitary Expertise and Ecology (CLVSEE). The samples were tested for banned veterinary medicinal products, antibiotics, sulphonamides, coccidiostats, heavy metals, and radioactivity.
Kuwait: Poultry and Egg Prices Jumps (Mar 26)
The month of Ramadan can be considered the month of live chicken, because of its popularity as a desirable food commodity due to its delicious taste, ease, and speed of cooking as well as the consumer confidence in its source, and the method of slaughtering. However, its high price deprives families with limited income of buying it, as the price of one kilogram of chicken has jumped to USD 3.26 (KD 1), and the cost of one tray of eggs has jumped to USD 4.90 (KD 1.5), due to the huge boom in subsidized corn prices, which have increased about four times, reports Al-Rai daily.
Nigeria: Poultry Industry Faces Total Collapse After Multiple Shocks (Mar 23)
In the last four years, the poultry industry in Nigeria has faced many daunting challenges, leading to the collapse of many farms. The COVID-19, foreign exchange, naira redesign, cashless policy crises, avian influenza, insecurity, and cost of feeds, were the worst problems the industry has faced in decades, pushing many smallholder farmers out of business. It all started in 2019 when the COVID pandemic hit the world, leading to the collapse of international businesses, and the imposition of restrictions and lockdowns across countries. Farmers suffered severe losses due to lockdowns, which affected the market for eggs and other poultry products. The Nigerian poultry industry, according to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, has the second largest chicken population in Africa after South Africa, producing 650K MT of eggs. Dr. Onallo Akpa, the Director-General, of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, painted the economic picture of the eggs in Nigeria, which is enormous. He said an egg a day for 50% of the Nigerian population will produce a daily economic value of USD 3.7M (N1.7B).
