W48: Weekly Poultry & Egg Update
Chicken
Netherlands: Supermarkets Sell Considerably Less Meat
The sale of chicken in supermarkets fell less than the average for all types of meat. Research by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that a large group of consumers would like to eat meat less often. On the other hand, the decrease in meat sales can also be a price effect. According to ABN Amro, the pressure on consumer spending will continue for the coming year. Not only consumers are faced with higher prices. This also applies to livestock farmers and processors. Purchasing costs for energy and labour increased for processors. Purchasing costs also increased due to the higher prices that livestock farmers received. For example, the price of poultry meat was 40% in September and that of pork 50% above last year's level.
France: Nearly 1.3 Million Poultry Slaughtered Since This Summer Due to Avian Influenza
Nearly 1.3 million poultry have been slaughtered since August 1 to stem the resurgence of avian flu in French farms, particularly in western France, according to information obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture. This report testifies to a strong acceleration of the avian influenza epizootic a few weeks before New Year's Eve: the latest figures communicated by the ministry, on November 10, reported more than 770,000 slaughterings. In the meantime, the number of outbreaks discovered in farms has almost doubled, to 91 cases, including 26 in Vendée, 11 in Deux-Sèvres and 9 in Maine-et-Loire. This stop would reduce the number of chickens, turkeys and ducks present at the same time on a territory. Animals reaching the end of their cycle could go to the slaughterhouse to be eaten, but would not be replaced.
France: End of the Killing of Roosters of Egg-Laying Breeds
As of January 1, 2023, France has confirmed that it will respect the commitments made and stop the killing of hens of egg-laying breeds, the Food Chain Risk Assessment Center announced on its website. France is the leading producer of eggs in the European Union (EU) and currently destroys nearly 50 million male egg-laying chickens annually on the first day after hatching, and around 300 million are culled annually in the European Union (EU). These roosters are killed because they won't lay eggs and they aren't the right breed to be used for meat since they don't fatten up fast enough and don't build enough muscle mass. US chicken exports continue to break records. The practice has been common since the 1950s, when the industry developed a way to determine the sex of day-old chicks and after broiler egg and meat production became highly specialized.
Hungary: The Number of Animals Slaughtered at Slaughterhouses Decreased in the First Three Quarters
154.2 million pieces of poultry were slaughtered in the first three quarters of 2022. This is 11.8% less than in the same period of the previous year. The live weight of the slaughtered poultry was 468,000MT, and its cut weight (cleaned, broken down weight) was 354,000MT. The majority of poultry (85%) was chicken, of which 131.1 million were slaughtered, 6% less than in January-September 2021. Within the slaughter of poultry, the number of turkeys was 2.9% and that of ducks was 9.2%. 14.1 million ducks and 2.1 million geese were slaughtered in the first three quarters of 2022. 4.5 million turkeys went to the slaughterhouses in the first nine months, almost 4 percent less than in the same period of the previous year.
Brazil: Purchasable Volume of Chicken at Producer Level, Wholesale, and Retail
Comparing the evolution of live cattle and live chicken prices, market analysts have observed that the competitiveness of chicken has fallen in relation to cattle. Effectively, it has been lower than that recorded in the first two years of the pandemic. But it is still higher than that recorded in the pre-pandemic year, 2019. Because, then, the price reached by the ox (at sign converted into kilograms) corresponded to 3.39 kg of live chicken, a volume that rose to 4.13 kg in 2020, but it fell back to 3.88 kg in 2021 and now stands at 3.67 kg, close to 8.5% more than in 2019. A similar situation is observed in the wholesale market when taking the price of front beef and chilled whole chicken as references. Thus, the price reached by the front beef corresponded to 2.13 kg of chilled chicken in 2019, 2.86 kg in 2020, 2.55 kg in 2021 and now 2.48 kg. In 2022, therefore, 16% more chicken meat than in 2019. In retail in the city of São Paulo (data from Procon-SP), at the price of 1 kg of chuck, the São Paulo consumer purchased, in 2019, about 2.83 kg of chilled chicken. With the boom in cattle prices, this volume rose to 3.38 kg in 2020 and remained high (3.42 kg) in 2021. This year it is at 2.98 kg, that is, it has receded, but it still guarantees the consumer purchasing power more than 5% higher than before the advent of the pandemic.
On November 28, in less than a week, live chicken traded in Minas Gerais had its second price correction, being traded for USD 1.03/kg (R$5.35), an amount 2.88% higher than the USD 1.00/kg (R$5.20) that prevailed in the (almost) eight weeks between September 30th and November 23rd. The first increase registered since the beginning of August occurred last on November 24, being limited to five cents. On November 28 readjustment, the increment was 10 cents. The current quotation means an increase of 9.18% in 12 months and 13.83% this year. Even so, the price of chicken from Minas Gerais is almost 20% below the record reached and maintained between the first days of August and mid-September, remaining (in nominal values) with the lowest prices of the last nine months. The occurrence of these readjustments in what is considered the most inappropriate period of the month (end of November) signals changes that may continue during this week, when the last month of the year begins. I hope these changes extend to the São Paulo market, where the low demand for live chicken generates stability at USD 1.06/kg (R$5.50) that completes on November 29, nine continuous weeks.
Brazil: MAPA Expects Brazilian Meat Production to Grow 23% In a Decade
Total meat production in 2021/22 is estimated at 28.5 million MT and the projection for the end of the next decade is to produce 35 million MT of the three main meats. This variation between the initial year of the projection and the end results in an increase in production of 23%. The increase in chicken meat production in the period is projected at 25.6%, pork at 29.1% and beef at 14.9%, to 19.1 million, 6.2 million and 9 .7 million tons, respectively. Regarding consumption, chicken will increase in the same proportion as production (2.4%), pork slightly less (2.3%) and beef 0.6% per year.
Brazil: Chicken Farming Crisis Deepens in Last Two Months
The market design for Brazilian chicken farming in 2022 was pointing to a year of tight margins, but there were profits, which albeit small, allowed for accounts to close in positive territory, unlike the situation of pig farming. For the last quarter of the year, this picture has changed substantially, with symptoms of oversupply in the domestic market and a consequent decline in slaughtered and live chicken prices. The margins, until then positive, have turned negative, with reports of losses, mainly in the South Region. Frozen chicken is the sector’s great exception at the moment, as the increase in the housing of breeding chicks between the months of August and September made it evident that there was a surplus supply in the Brazilian market. Chicken exports are still considerable, with the country moving quickly toward a historic record, both in volume and revenue. However, the scenario becomes worrisome as the operating margin becomes negative in many states, especially in the South, a region where animal nutrition costs are more pronounced. In this case, chicken has been gaining competitiveness in comparison with competing proteins. At the moment, chicken is 2.87 times more affordable than beef hindquarters. Around 2.15 times more affordable than beef forequarter. Frozen chicken is 1.40 times more affordable than special pork carcass. The increase in monetary circulation in the last two months guarantees a good slice of consumption for the three proteins. A recovery in chicken prices is expected in December, driven by domestic consumption.
Russia: Poultry Meat Export Has Increased by 64% Since the Beginning of the Year
The export of poultry meat from Russia has increased by 64% since the beginning of 2022, according to the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Agriculture. "The export of poultry meat increased by 64%. Russia is fully self-sufficient in this product, and the growth in production allows increasing supplies abroad," the report says. At the same time, the ministry does not provide absolute figures. As specified in the Ministry of Agriculture, the main export positions of Russia are chicken and turkey. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, about 30 new investment projects in poultry farming are currently being implemented in the country, so deliveries abroad will only grow in the coming years.
In order to improve the scientific and technological level, standardisation and production efficiency of the city's native chicken industry, and support the high-quality development of the native chicken industry, from November 22 to 23, Guangyuan Agriculture and Rural Bureau held two phases of high-quality broiler chicken major technology collaborative promotion project breeding technology. In the training meeting, a total of 100 people participated in two phases, including the leaders in charge of the agricultural and rural bureaus of each county, the head of the animal husbandry station, and some large farmers.
Kazakhstan: Chicken Have Risen in Price by Almost a Third Over the Year
In January-October of this year, 93.3 thousand MT of fresh or chilled poultry meat were produced in Kazakhstan, which is 3.5% more than a year earlier. The production of frozen poultry meat amounted to 109.3 thousand MT, which is 1.7% more than a year earlier, according to the Energyprom.kz portal. In the regional context, Almaty region is the leader in the production of frozen poultry meat: 54.6 thousand MT, plus 4.9% per year. The top three also included Akmola and Abai regions.
On December 1, chicks prices in Egypt witnessed stability in their trading movement without an increase or decrease in the local market. The prices of chicks in Egypt ranged from USD 0.061 (1.5 pounds) to USD 0.18 (4.5 pounds).
The number of breeding hens in January next year is estimated to be 76.81 million, up 6.1% from the previous year (72.4 million), and the average daily egg production is expected to increase by 6.5% to 45.79 million. It is expected that 59.12 million to 61.14 million broiler chickens will be slaughtered this month, a decrease of about 4.2% compared to the previous year, and the number of ducks raised for meat during the same period was observed to increase by 8.1% from this year to 5.422 million.
Japan: 110,000 More Chickens to Be Slaughtered in Western Region Due to Bird Flu Outbreak
Authorities in Tottori Prefecture in western Japan will destroy about 110,000 chickens at a poultry farm in connection with an outbreak of bird flu. This was reported by the Kyodo agency on Thursday. On November 30, about 46,000 chickens were slaughtered in the western prefecture of Wakayama to prevent the spread of infection. This season, after the detection of bird flu in various parts of Japan, more than 3.3 million chickens were destroyed in total.
Japan: Aiming to Slaughter 120,000 More Chickens Due to Bird Flu Outbreak
Authorities in Kagoshima Prefecture in southwest Japan will slaughter about 120,000 chickens at a local chicken farm in connection with an outbreak of bird flu. This was reported by the Kyodo agency on Friday. On December 1, as part of measures to prevent the spread of infection, about 110,000 chickens were destroyed in the western prefecture of Tottori. This season, after the detection of bird flu in various parts of Japan, more than 3.4 million chickens were destroyed in total.
Ecuador: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Rules Out the Shortage of Chickens
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) assured that there will be no shortage of chicken in Ecuador, due to the outbreak of bird flu in Cotopaxi. The merchants consulted indicated that they are selling the same amount, the only complaint they have is that they raised the price. "We increased the price of a pound of chicken by 0.02. In quantity, this is heavy and we cannot increase it because they penalised us. The increase could be due to the outbreak of bird flu," said Rosa Villavicencio, a trader. Information that well-cooked meat does not affect health has helped maintain sales, he added. The announcement of the outbreak has raised questions about the need to euthanize birds that test positive. Consulted on the subject, the zootechnical veterinarian M.Sc in Poultry, Arturo Arias, does not see it that way. It is easier, he says, to control animals in sheds, because the formal sector has high biosecurity measures.
Ecuador: Declaration of the Animal Health Emergency Due to Avian Influenza Outbreak
The Ecuadorian government declared an animal health emergency in the Andean country due to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza and will slaughter some 180,000 birds to prevent the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Agriculture said. The first case of the H5 avian influenza outbreak was detected on a poultry farm in the Andean province of Cotopaxi, south of Quito, for which the authorities lifted an epidemiological fence over the weekend and activated an internal quarantine in possible infected areas. The disease, commonly called bird flu, is often spread by wild birds that can spread the virus to poultry. The authorities said that the detected focus is 0.15% of the country's poultry population, which has some 263 million chickens and 16 million laying birds, according to official data. The ministry informed that they are carrying out monitoring and controls with some 850 technicians in other poultry farms, in order to rule out the presence of influenza in other provinces. The Ecuadorian poultry sector has 1,810 farms and generates USD 1.8 billion, which represents 23% of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the South American nation. The Ministry of Agriculture assured that avian influenza does not constitute a risk to the health of the population , for which reason it guaranteed the consumption of eggs and chicken meat.
Ecuador: Avian Flu, Technicians Will Resample 17 Farms in Cotopaxi
Technicians from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), and the Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency (Agrocalidad) will carry out a resampling of the birds that are in the 17 farms, located in the focus and perifocus of the area where the past weekend an outbreak of H5 avian influenza was detected.
Ten days after detecting the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) AH5N1 in three poultry production units (UPA) in the municipalities of Uman and Timucuy, in Yucatán, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico reported that so far no more cases were registered, as well as chickens and eggs that are produced and sold inside and outside the state under official control. The Agricultural Technicians applied the total definitive quarantines and carried out the relevant health provisions, which include depopulation, cleaning and disinfection of the farms, as well as the sanitary provision of the birds, under the supervision of official personnel from the General Directorate of Animal Health ( DGSA). Yucatan is the fifth largest egg producer in the country, with 107 thousand tons per year; the fourth largest chicken producer, with 166,000 tons, and the largest turkey producer in Mexico, with 2,200 tons per year.
Turkey
UK: England and EU Differ on Defrosted Poultry Meat Stance
England and Wales are to ease the rules temporarily on defrosted poultry meat because of the impact of bird flu. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is advising consumers buying turkey, duck, capon, or goose products that they may have been previously frozen and defrosted before being sold as chilled. The United Kingdom is dealing with its worst bird flu outbreak ever with more than 200 cases confirmed in the past 12 months. Bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for consumers, but can occasionally make people sick. Measures mean that farmers who breed turkeys, geese, or ducks for their meat will have the option to slaughter flocks early and freeze these products, which can then be defrosted and sold to the public. In the EU, defrosted previously-frozen poultry meat, including turkey, is not allowed for sale. In England and Wales, products should be labelled as defrosted and are suitable for home freezing if it says so on the label. The temporary change applies from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, 2022, and does not cover chicken. Narriman Looch, head of foodborne disease control at the FSA, said the defrosted products will be safe to eat as long as consumers follow instructions on the label and practise good food hygiene.
Around half of Britain's free-range turkeys and geese raised for Christmas have died or been culled in the biggest outbreak of bird flu in the country's history, an industry chief said. Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, told lawmakers that British farmers generally produce 1.2 million to 1.3 million free-range birds for the festive period. “We saw around 600,000 of these free-range birds being directly affected,” he said. Giving evidence to the Parliament's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Griffiths said that total production of turkeys for Christmas in the UK is generally between 8.5 and 9 million birds. Of these, just over a million died or were slaughtered. He said he did not know what the impact on prices would be, and that 36% of farms in the UK are now subject to avian flu controls.
UK: 3 Theories Behind the Mega Outbreak of Bird Flu
Pet birds in the trendy free-range system were the first to fall under the blow of the bird flu epidemic. The UK poultry industry is counting losses due to the worst outbreak of bird flu. More than half of the country's free-range turkey population has died or been destroyed, however, the situation is still not hopeless for the main course of the Christmas table. Poultry Council officials say farmers will not raise turkey prices as they are currently being compensated by the UK government for culling each bird, helping to reduce price pressure. The birds will also be slaughtered earlier, frozen and then sold defrosted: "Prices are ultimately the decision of the retailer. There have been 137 confirmed cases of avian influenza in the UK since early October, with more than half of the cases since the disease was discovered last year in the past two months (137 out of 257 confirmed cases). The European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) highlights that 2021-2022 data show this is the largest avian flu epidemic in Europe ever, with 50.5 million birds slaughtered. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports a similar number of lost birds at 50 million. At Thanksgiving, American consumers paid $1.56 a pound for a fresh turkey, up from $0.97 in 2021, according to USDA data. According to scientists, there are several theories to explain the lethality of the current epidemic. First, the genetic mutations increased the ability of the virus to replicate and therefore allowed it to spread more efficiently than previous strains. The second theory is that the mutations have allowed the virus to infect a wider range of species than in the past. A third theory posits that dense poultry populations contribute to the rapid spread of the virus.
Duck
Vietnam: Ben’s Gourd Duck Is in Danger of Disappearing in the Homeland
Mr. Nguyen Van Khien, Chairman of the new Cao Duong commune (composed of 3 old communes including Cao Duong, Hop Chau and Tan Thanh) said, when Cao Duong commune was still in Kim Boi district, in 2013 there was a program to restore ducks but failed. Although ducks eat well, they grow slowly and are raised for a very long time. In 2020, there was a second recovery program. At that time, it was infected with Covid 19, banned from selling ducks, only for internal consumption, the price was very cheap, so it melted again. In the first phase, the cooperative was granted 1,000 ducks, hatched the breed, and the second phase expanded to 20 households with 1,600 ducks for meat. Grazing conditions are very favourable because the locality has many lowland fields for one crop, many crabs and snails. Dropping ducks in the field sometimes doesn't need to be fed at night, but in captivity, watching them put their heads in the pots but the bran disappears, it's very heartbreaking. Ben gourd duck eats twice as much, the rearing time is twice as long, but the deliciousness must be twice that of the white winged duck, the more you raise the meat, the more flexible it is, not dry. The cooperative has not been able to make the market yet. On the day of sale, traders forced the price because the Ben hair ducks were black, white, and difficult, so the white-winged ducks raised with industrial bran paid USD 2.09/kg (50,000 VND), but Ben's ducks were raised. Drop dong only costs USD 1.55/kg (37,000 VND). Calculating a loss of USD 3.34 (80,000 VND) each, so the farmers gave up all at the same time. The cooperative also had to sell the duck breed for USD 4.18/head (100,000 VND), lost USD 3,343.79 (80 million VND), now still have to owe money for bran and medicine.
The ban on imports follows the confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) at a meat duck farm in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. The province currently bans live poultry from other cities and provinces, as well as poultry products from Chungnam, North, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Jeonnam, and Ulsan, from being brought into the province. As the ban on importing poultry products has expanded to Jeonbuk following Ulsan with this measure, poultry products produced and processed in places other than those areas must be reported to the Animal Hygiene Testing Center in advance with supporting documents such as a certificate of production area and can be brought in only when there is no problem after checking at the airport or port. However, heated products or imported livestock products can be brought in regardless of region. The provincial Gangwon area plans to lift the ban on imports from the 6th. This is because since AI was confirmed at a laying hen farm in Wonju, Gangwon Province on November 14, no additional outbreaks have occurred even after the maximum incubation period of the virus. The provincial government requested livestock farms to disinfect the vehicles entering and exiting the farm in the second stage, disinfect the person entering the farm, close the farm entrance and back door, and wash and disinfect barn equipment.
Egg
British farmers are pleading with the government to step in so they can receive compensation for the unsustainable costs and high losses due to the mandatory culling of hundreds of thousands of chickens caused by bird flu. Therefore, there is a low supply of eggs on store shelves, and many farmers are forced to suspend or discontinue operations to avoid further losses. As a result, British retailers have decided to import eggs from EU countries such as Italy to compensate for the shortage. British farmers accused large-scale retailers of purchasing eggs outside the country at prices below their production costs rather than supporting domestic businesses. With this, the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (Bfrepa) has requested an urgent meeting with a British supermarket, which confirmed that it imported eggs from Italy into its warehouse, despite a previous commitment to buy only from British suppliers.
Thailand: Livestock Pushes to Export More Than 60 Million Eggs to Counteract Falling Prices
Previously, laying hen farmers faced the problem of oversupply of eggs in the market during May - June 2022. The Department of Livestock Development and the private sector have been working together to solve the problem, including increasing the amount of egg exports and releasing cages of hens. As a result, production stability and prices were at an appropriate level of USD 0.1/ bubble (3.60 baht) on August 17, 2022. Until November 2022, the price began to trend down to USD 0.098/bubble (3.40 baht). As for the current situation of chicken eggs, it was found that the production rate increased because the climate at this time of year every year was suitable for raising chickens. Coupled with the problem of border trade, the export of chicken eggs has decreased. Including less premature laying off of laying hens. However, the egg price situation in some countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong sell for more than USD 0.11/egg (4.00 baht), which is a good price. Therefore, a joint meeting between the Department of Livestock Development and the Association of Layer Chicken Raisers Cooperative of laying hens and breeders of laying hens have concluded as follows: Driving exports in December 2022, more than 60 million eggs, with large and medium-sized egg producers cooperating to export to Hong Kong and Singapore. This will help increase the income to the country. From the beginning of 2022 until September 180.66 million eggs have been exported, valued at USD 19.93 million (693.48 million baht). Reduce egg production with the goal of December 1 million cage-laying chickens are prematurely released. If they are released between 65 weeks and 75 weeks of age, the private sector's laying hen industry development fund will receive compensation of USD 0.29/bird (10 baht). The Department of Livestock Development will follow up and facilitate. It is convenient to release laying hens from cages at the appropriate age. By requesting cooperation from laying hen raisers across the country to release laying hens for not more than 80 weeks and for large breeders (100,000 or more) not more than 78 weeks.
Indonesia: It’s Bad That the Price of Chicken Eggs Have Skyrocketed
The price of purebred chicken eggs is still continuing its high trend. The national average for the price of chicken eggs as of November 25 is at the level of USD 2/kg (IDR 31,250). Meanwhile, the price of purebred chicken has also increased this week where the national average price of purebred chicken is at the level of USD 2.62/kg (IDR 41,000). The soaring price of purebred chicken eggs, according to Pardjuni, is because the current supply of chicken eggs is still small or has not been able to meet demand. According to Pardjuni, the price of chicken eggs on the market is still relatively safe. However, he appealed to the government to continue to control the selling price below. If indeed there are reports of unreasonable prices for chicken eggs, Pardjuni suggests the government to deploy the Food Task Force to see firsthand how much these traders are making a profit.
Indonesia: There Is a Signal That the Price of Eggs Will Soon Decrease
The price of chicken eggs is still being observed creeping up. On November 30, Jakarta Food Information reported that the price of purebred chicken eggs has increased by USD 0.0027 (IDR 42) to USD 1.93/kg (IDR 30,191). President of Layer Farmers Indonesia, Ki Musbar Mesdi, said the current spike in egg prices was triggered by various factors. That is, demand increases, especially from the industrial segment, ahead of Christmas and New Year. In addition, the government also sets the latest reference prices, both at the producer and consumer levels. As is known, the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi issued RI National Food Agency (Perbadan) Regulation No. 5/2022 concerning Reference Purchase Prices at the Producer Level and Sales Reference Prices at the Consumer Level for Commodities of Corn, Race Chicken Eggs, and Chicken Meat Race. Issued and set into effect on October 5. Referring to the attached sheet of regulations that took effect on October 5, the reference price for broiler eggs is set as follows: producer purchase price, upper limit: USD 1.53/kg ( IDR 24,000) and lower limit: USD 1.41/kg (IDR 22,000). The consumer sales price at USD 1.73/kg (IDR 27,000)
The prices of red and white eggs rose on November 29 for the second day in a row, according to data from the General Union of Poultry Producers. The price of a carton of red and white eggs increased by USD 0.081 (2 pounds) compared to its level yesterday, for the second day in a row. The price of a carton of white eggs went at USD 2.72 (66.75 pounds), a carton of red eggs at USD 2.72 (66.75 pounds) and a carton of municipal eggs at USD 3.00 (73.75 pounds).
