DA takes early action vs bird flu threat to egg prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Saturday that it was taking proactive measures to stabilize the egg supply and curb potential price hikes amid concerns over bird flu.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. noted that a bird flu outbreak in the US had driven egg prices up due to the culling of millions of egg-laying chickens.

While the Philippines has yet to experience a widespread outbreak, the country may face a supply shortage by April.

"Ang problema dito sa shortage na ito is because last year naman, sobrang raming itlog na bumagsak ang presyo sa farmgate ng P4 bawat piraso. Maraming nalugi. Yung mga nalugi naman, kinatay nila yung mga layers nila para magkaroon ng cash," Laurel explained.

(The issue stems from last year's egg surplus, which drove farmgate prices down to P4 per piece. Many farmers incurred losses and decided to cull their layers for cash.)

To address this, the DA is expediting the importation of egg-laying chickens and working to secure a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an avian influenza vaccine.

"Ang pinakamalaking tulong na mabibigay ng DA sa industriya is to faciliate yung kanilang pagi-import ng mga bagong layers into the country, ma fast track yan," said the Agriculture Secretary. 

(The best way we can support the industry is by facilitating the swift importation of new layers.) 

"May chance pa naman ma avert itong sinasabi ko sa Abril dahil Pebrero pa lang naman. But at least, looking forward, there is a problem, and we will act on it."

(There is still time to prevent the projected shortage in April since it is only February. But we must act now.)

However, the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) downplayed the risk of a shortage, stating that supply remains stable unless a major bird flu outbreak occurs.

"Ang projection po natin itong taon is meron tayong ine-expect na over supply sa production po ng itlog," said PEBA President Francis Uyehara.

(Our projection for this year suggests an oversupply of eggs.) 

"Yung mga dumating na parent stock last year, ngayon po magsisimula yon maging productive. [Pero], kung magkaroon ng outbreak magkakaproblema po tayo sa supply po ng itlog."

(Parent stock imported last year is now reaching peak productivity. But if an outbreak happens, supply issues may arise.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News