W50: Weekly Poultry & Egg Update
Chicken
Latin America: FAO Activates Protocols to Combat Bird Flu
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will implement coordination and rapid response protocols to serious outbreaks of avian influenza in Latin America, after confirming cases in Peru, in addition to Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela. The international organization specified that it maintains contact with the official veterinary services and the ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, and the Environment of the affected countries, with the aim of providing them with technical and logistical support to face this emergency.
Brazil: Cases of Avian Influenza in South America Lead ABPA to Reinforce Sectoral Biosecurity
The Associação Brasileira de Proteína Animal (ABPA) announced to its members, through the update of its biosecurity protocol, the recommendation to immediately suspend visits to farms, slaughterhouses, and other poultry establishments in Brazil. The measure was taken because of the cases of avian influenza registered in South America. The decision of the association's board of directors is valid for both Brazilians and foreigners.
Brazil: Chicken Performance in the 49th Week of 2022
In the second week of December, the 49th of 2022, slaughtered chicken closed the period with an appreciation of just 0.5% compared to the closing of the previous week. In addition, compared to the end of November, it completed the first ten-day period with an increase of no more than 0.74%, an index substantially below those registered, for example, in October and November, months in which the value reached the 10th day of the month was, respectively, 3.52% and 6.72% higher.
Brazil: In São Paulo, a Fragile Market Imposed a New Low on Live Chicken, the Fourth in a Week
The chicken that is being processed on December 12 at slaughterhouses in the interior of São Paulo was sold last Saturday for USD 0.96/kg (BRL 5.10), ten cents less than two days earlier. That is a new low, the fourth of the week in the same value, which was recorded on Friday (December 9). Compared to the current value a week earlier (December 3), live chicken from São Paulo has dropped by 7.27%, the same index applicable to the quotation on November 10, since the product's reference price had not changed since the end of September.
Brazil: First Chicken Meat Exports of December Face Problems With Shipment
In the first ten days of December (from the 1st to the 10th, seven working days) Brazilian exports of chicken meat were just over 100K MT, a volume that represented average daily shipments of 15,560MT, 10.24%, and 6.68% unless the last November (17,335MT/day) and December 2021 (16,675MT/day). This is also one of the lowest daily averages in the last three years.
Brazil: The Value of Whole Chicken in November
The increase in chicken meat supply, especially in fillet and breast, caused a drop in prices in November. Many agents were forced to adopt the strategy of negatively readjusting values, aiming to increase liquidity and avoid an increase in prices. It is worth remembering that, especially in this period that precedes the end-of-year festivities, the demand for Christmas birds and pork meat grows, to the detriment of chicken protein. Thus, wholesale in Greater São Paulo, chilled whole chicken recorded an average of USD 1.42/kg (BRL 7.52/kg) in November, down 1.5% compared to October.
Brazil: November Closes With an Increase of Over 20% In Chicken Meat Exports From Rio Grande Do Sul
Exports of chicken meat (processed and in natura) from Rio Grande do Sul closed November with a 20.8% increase, jumping from 55.7K MT shipped in the same month of last year to 67.2K MT. Revenue accompanied the rise, closing at USD 142.6M, 46.7% above the revenue reached last November, which was USD 97.2M.
Brazil: Chicken Production Estimate Has Reduced
The production of chicken meat in Brazil in 2023 was estimated in a range of 14.6-14.75M MT. The volume to be produced, however, was below the projection released in July (14.65-15M MT), according to data released by the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).
Brazil: Exports of Chicken Meat in 2023 Should Grow by 8.5% In Volume and Total 5.2M MT
The export of fresh and processed chicken meat in 2023 should reach 5.2M MT, a volume 8.5% higher than that reached in 2022, with 4.58M MT, informed on December 15 by the Association Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA). The entity's perspective is that Brazilian production this year will be at 14.5M MT, up 1.5% compared to 2021 (14.329M MT).
Brazil: Poultry Meat Production Should Rise up to 1.5% In 2022 and 2% In 2023
The Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) projected, in an online press conference held on December 15, that chicken meat production should reach 14.5M MT in 2022, 1.5% higher than last year, with 14.329M MT. The volume projected for 2023 could reach up to 14.75M MT, a volume 2% higher compared to 2022.
Brazil: Production Costs for Chicken Fall in November
According to the ICPFrango, which calculates the production costs of broiler chicken, it had a variation of 0.11%, closing the month of November at 425.37 points. ICPFrango, showed a decrease in most cost composition items, including day-old chicken (-1.64%) and nutrition (-0.13%). The cost of production per kilo of live broiler chicken in Paraná produced in acclimatized aviaries under positive pressure increased by one cent in November compared to October, reaching USD 1.04 (BRL 5.50). In the year, ICPFrango accumulated an increase of 5.41% and, in the last 12 months, a variation of 6.99%.
Brazil: Avian Flu Abroad and the War in Ukraine Make Brazil Break a Record for Chicken Exports
The incidence of avian flu in countries in the northern hemisphere and the war between Russia and Ukraine will make Brazil break a record in chicken meat exports (considering all products, between fresh and processed) in 2022. According to projections by the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA), sales abroad will be between 4.8-4.85M MT, a 5% growth compared to 2021. Brazil is free of cases of avian flu, but there is concern about the disease. Santin said that the country is prepared to face possible cases of avian flu. He stated that 'backyard cases' do not stop production, but that if an outbreak is detected in industrial flocks, the birds are sacrificed. Brazil is the world's largest exporter of the product, followed by the United States and the European Union. Last year, chicken exports reached 4.6M MT. With a high dollar, revenue this year is growing 29% this year, reaching USD 8.9B compared to USD 6.9B in 2021.
Brazil: Chicken Prices Weaken in Most Markets
Chicken meat prices weakened this week in most regions tracked by Cepea. According to agents consulted, the recent devaluations are a reflection of the already expected lower liquidity, due to the typical consumer preference for “Christmas meats” in this period of the year. Cepea researchers point out that, unlike the southern markets and those in the interior of São Paulo, in the wholesale market in Greater São Paulo, frozen and chilled whole chickens recorded slight appreciation. Despite the rise, employees report difficulties in sustaining asking prices, signaling the possibility of declines, as observed in most regions monitored by Cepea.
Turkey: Chicken Meat Production Increased by 2.3%
Turkey Statistical Institute (TUIK) announced the October Poultry Production data. Accordingly, chicken meat production amounted to 201,203MT, and chicken egg production amounted to 1.77B units. In October, compared to the same month of the previous year, chicken egg production increased by 4.5 %, chicken meat production increased by 2.3%, and the number of slaughtered chickens increased by 1.6%, while turkey meat production decreased by 18.8%. In the January-October period, the number of slaughtered chickens increased by 10.7%, chicken meat production increased by 9.5%, turkey meat production increased by 8.5%, and chicken egg production increased by 2.1% compared to the same period of the previous year. Chicken egg production, which was 1,719,465,000 units in the previous month, increased by 2.7% in October and became 1,766,165,000 units.
By the end of W49 in South Africa, frozen poultry was selling at USD 1.843/kg, which is a 0.84% increase WoW from USD 1.827/kg in W48. On the other hand, fresh poultry was selling at USD 1.962/kg by the end of W49, which was a drop of 0.36% WoW from USD 1.913/kg in W48.
Kenya: Kenyan Farmers Reap Big Through South Korea Partnership to Improve Potato and Poultry Yields
Through the Korea Program for International Agriculture (Kopia) partnership which started in January 2020, locals in different parts of Kenya were able to embrace rearing indigenous chicken and Irish potatoes to generate income. The Sh126 million project was meant to improve the performance and profitability of indigenous chicken and Irish potato value chains, as well as incomes for residents. In addition to opening hatcheries to supply villages with chicks, the two governments trained smallholder households on best practices, including curbing diseases in both value chains. A total of 22 farmers who have achieved increased production in the two years jetted back last week from South Korea where they had gone on a learning trip.
Dominican Republic: Sales Campaign of 1.5M Chickens at Popular Prices
The Government of the Dominican Republic has begun a sales campaign at popular prices for a total of 1.5M domestically produced chickens at USD 2.71/unit (150 pesos), weighing more than 1.6 kg. The commercialization, according to the local press as Diario Libre on its website, has already begun at the points established by the National Institute for Price Stabilization (Inespre).
South Korea: Price Rise Due to Unstable Supply and Demand of Chicken
The price of chicken is on the rise due to the unstable supply and demand of chicken due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI). According to data from the Livestock Products Quality Evaluation Institute, the price per kg of live chicken distribution as of the 9th was USD 2.00 (2,573 won), up about 32% from the average price of USD 1.51 (1,939 won) last month. This is because the supply of chicken meat has been disrupted as the scope of quarantine units has recently increased due to the increased risk of highly pathogenic AI in the Jeonnam region.
Egypt: Poultry Prices Recorded USD 1.66 on Farms and USD 1.82 for Consumers
The Poultry Division of the Chamber of Commerce announced the stability of poultry prices in farms on December 13, so that a kilo of white chickens records USD 1.66 (41 pounds), while the price reaches the consumer in the markets between USD 1.82 to USD 1.90 (45 to 47 pounds), and this price may vary according to each region.
Ukraine: Chicken Became Cheaper in November
In November 2022, the average consumer price for chicken carcasses decreased by 3% to USD 2.18/kg (UAH 80.49), as compared to October's USD 2.25/kg (UAH 82.96). This is evidenced by the data of the State Statistics Service. Since the beginning of 2022, chicken carcasses have risen in price by 9.5% from USD 1.99/kg (UAH 73.52) in January. In turn, the average consumer price of chicken fillet fell by 2.2% in November to USD 3.67/kg (UAH 135.72) against USD 3.76/kg (UAH 138.81) in October.
Israel: The Genetically Edited Chickens That Could Save Billions of Chicks From Being Shredded Alive
Israeli researchers say they have developed genetically-edited chickens that lay eggs that hatch only as females. The advance could prevent the culling of billions of male chicks each year, which are euthanized because they don't lay eggs. The generated females and the eggs they lay when they mature do not show traces of the original genetic alteration. Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), an animal welfare advocacy group, supported the research.
Ecuador: There Will Be Enough Turkeys and Chickens for Christmas and New Year’s Eve
A few days before Christmas and New Year's Eve are celebrated, the poultry production union and the authorities announced at a press conference that there will be enough turkeys and chickens to prepare the typical meals for these holidays. Although the director of the Phytosanitary and Zoosanitary Regulation and Control Agency (Agrocalidad), Patricio Almeida, indicated that more than 300K birds will be affected by bird flu.
Turkey
US: Another Northwest Iowa Turkey Flock Has Bird Flu
A commercial flock of about 90K turkeys in Ida County is the seventh to be infected by highly pathogenic avian influenza this month in northwest Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The state’s detection rate of the virus at commercial facilities dramatically increased in December, with six of those seven confirmations in the past week. Those virus confirmations led to the culling of about 385K turkeys.
UK: Leading Turkey Farmer Calls for Fast Tracked Bird Flu Vaccine
One of the UK's leading turkey producers has called for a bird flu vaccine to be fast-tracked to help combat the growing threat of the disease. The call is part of a five-point strategy set out by Paul Kelly, managing director of Kelly Turkey Farms in Essex, to save the future of free-range Christmas turkeys. Over 500K free-range turkeys have been affected by the UK's bird flu crisis through infection or culling, with many farmers who supply this market reluctant to risk losing a flock next year. Mr. Kelly, who also has a hatchery supplying day-old turkey poults to more than one-third of these farmers, shares their concerns about the risks involved in producing free-range poultry without firm assurance about its viability.
Peru: 1.75M Turkeys Will Be Offered
For the Christmas and New Year holidays, the national supply of turkeys will be 1.75M units, to meet consumer requirements, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri). The national supply of turkeys this year represents a growth of 6% compared to 2021, and its supply reaches 49% of the national production of this bird. It should be noted that the turkey supply for this season comes exclusively from domestic production. In addition, it was announced that of the total turkey available for the Christmas and New Year campaign, 1.31M units will be marketed in the different supermarket chains and corporate sales, as frozen processed whole turkey and; 437K units in the distribution centers of birds such as live turkey. The average commercial weight range of the frozen processed turkey will oscillate between 5-12 kg per unit and between 7-11 kg for sale as live turkey.
Duck
Canada: Spread of Avian Flu Is Unpredictable and Worrying
The highly lethal strain of avian flu that has been devastating wild and domestic bird populations around the world remains elusive, warns avian immunologist at the University of Guelph worried the virus could spread to humans. The Doctor, Shayan Sharif is an immunologist in the Department of Pathobiology at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), specializing in the immune system of chickens, including their responses to avian flu. He is the associate dean for research and graduate studies at OVC. Sharif says that while the H5N1 family of avian flu is not new, the highly pathogenic strain now spreading around the world is unique in its ability to kill several bird species that were previously considered resistant. Seabirds, for example, are dying by the thousands from the virus, when previous strains caused them little trouble. Even within bird families, such as ducks, some species are succumbing to the virus, while others can transmit the virus without showing clinical signs or mortality, and the reasons for this remain unclear, says Sharif.
Egg
Malaysia: Government Agrees to Temporarily Allow Import of Chicken Eggs
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has agreed to temporarily allow the import of chicken eggs from external sources, and the decision will be reviewed when the domestic supply stabilizes. In a statement issued here on December 16, the ministry said that the move is taken to overcome the shortage of egg supply facing the country for the past few months. The ministry had allowed the import of chicken eggs from India by air on Friday, as a trial phase to ensure the imported eggs meet all the standards set, it said. The ministry, through the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), has implemented control on the entry of imported chicken eggs at the entry points through the hold, test, and release of an examination. This includes the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of Salmonella bacteria, Newcastle disease virus, and avian influenza, it said.
Kazakhstan: Investigations Launched Into Seven Poultry Farms Due to High Prices and Price Fixing
The situation with prices for socially important food products and measures to stabilize them were discussed at a meeting in the government chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Trade and Integration Serik Zhumangarin. According to information, over the past week, based on the results of the analysis of electronic invoices, the Trade Committee revealed the facts of the sale of chicken eggs through intermediaries with a surcharge exceeding that established by law. So, in the Karaganda region, Agrofirma Kurma LLP sold eggs of the first category to enterprises in the Karaganda, Zhambyl, Ulytau regions, which resold products with a trade margin of 21-45%. Among the buyers of eggs with a trade markup of 45% is the Karaganda bakery.
Singapore: To Begin Importing Chicken Eggs From Brunei, Further Diversifying Its Food Sources
Singapore will begin importing chicken eggs from Brunei, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said on December 13. This follows Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu's visit to an egg farm in Brunei, where she announced that SFA has accredited the country as a new source of egg exports. This brings the number of countries and regions accredited to export "hen shell eggs" to Singapore to 17, up from 12 in 2019, said the agency.
Qatar: Egg Prices Are Expected to Fall in Qatar in the Last Two Weeks of 2022 Due to Oversupply
As the end of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar is approaching, the decrease in the number of tourists/fans of football teams in the region has caused a fall in the egg price. There are a lot of egg stocks in the region since Qatar purchased three times more eggs than in previous years to cover the expected demand. The Qatar government itself ordered eggs in cash from suppliers in Turkey, causing an unusual price increase in the last 1-2 months. As fewer tourists remain in Qatar in the last weeks of December, there is an oversupply of eggs in Qatar that are now being exported to Dubai. Dubai, on the other hand, bought 115-120 containers/week from only Turkey in the last weeks. India and Ukraine 'on indirect routes' also exported eggs to this region. For all these reasons, prices are expected to decrease for at least 1 or 2 weeks and then stabilize. In the last two weeks of 2022, there has been an average price of USD 2/box (360 pcs) decrease in egg prices.
