The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is set to affect the prices of chicken and eggs in the near future.

According to a poultry industry official quoted in a South African agriculture publication, the country’s chicken industry has lost nearly 3.8 million birds since the beginning of June as a result of a deadly new strain of HPAI – and millions more are in jeopardy.

HPAI, also known as bird flu, is caused by the Influenza A pathogen virus.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (Woah), the first outbreak began in May in Mpumalanga. It has since spread to different provinces in the country.

The KZN Department of Agriculture says that HPAI is a controlled disease in South Africa, so when it is detected on a farm, the farm is placed under quarantine by the state in accordance with the Animal Diseases Act. The quarantine will only be lifted when certain conditions are met.

Impact on egg and chicken prices

The outbreak has had an impact on the prices of eggs and chickens in stores.

“Farms producing chicken meat and eggs will be placed under quarantine; they won’t be able to supply the market,” says Temba Sikhakhane, the department’s chief director of veterinary services.

South African Poultry Association’s (Sapa) general manager Abongile Balarane told The Citizen that the number of layer chickens lost to the flu would lead to a tight supply of eggs.

According to the latest monthly household affordability index, compiled by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, the price of frozen chicken portions went up by 3% in August.

South African consumer inflation slowed to a two-year low of 4.7% on an annual basis in July, but Statistics South Africa noted that the price increase of eggs, milk and cheese accelerated to 14.4%, from 14.1% in June.

The outbreak has led to a shortage of eggs, with several retailers alerting customers that shelves could be empty soon.

As a general precaution, whenever possible, people should avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance.

The department has surveillance programmes to monitor several diseases, including bird flu, and is intensifying them to ensure early detection.

The department also intends to educate citizens about the importance of keeping their farms bio-secure. This means putting measures in place to prevent the introduction of bird flu onto a farm.

Balarane says Sapa and industry leaders have started discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to explore the possibility of procuring emergency vaccines to assist the industry.

“It will take us some time to restock the affected farms. In the short term, there will be tight supplies of eggs. We expect the normal supply and demand forces will drive up the price of eggs,” he says.