High Pathogenic AI Culling Exceeds 20 Million Birds... Will Supply Be Stable?

As of 24:00 on the 22nd, the number of culled domestic poultry farms exceeds 20.77 million
Concerns over decline in broiler breeders and laying hens due to preventive culling
Government states, "We will respond with frozen stock and imports"

Due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), the price of a carton of eggs has surpassed 6,000 won. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on the 11th, the retail price of a carton of eggs was recorded at 6,082 won as of the 8th. As the spread of AI shows no signs of slowing, concerns are rising that the prices of chicken and eggs, which affect meal costs, may increase further. On this day, citizens are seen examining eggs at a large supermarket in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] With the number of preventive culls at domestic poultry farms due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) surpassing 20 million, concerns are rising over the supply and demand of related poultry products. They argue that the rapid decrease in broiler breeders producing broiler chicks and laying hens could lead to a sharp drop in production. The government maintains that egg imports will be in full swing starting next week, and since there is sufficient frozen stock of broilers, there will be no supply instability for the time being.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 23rd, as of 24:00 the previous day, a total of 20,776,000 poultry including laying hens, broilers, meat ducks, native chickens, and breeders have been culled at domestic poultry farms. The number of culled laying hens reached 10,138,000 across 134 farms, broilers numbered 5,631,000 across 78 farms, meat ducks 1,623,000 across 83 farms, and breeders 936,000 across 25 farms.

As the number of culled birds surged, poultry product prices have also shown unstable trends. In particular, eggs without frozen stock saw the consumer price for 10 premium eggs rise to 2,203 KRW as of 16:00 on the 22nd, up 24.8% compared to the previous year. Duck meat rose 18.1% to 13,135 KRW per kg, and broiler meat increased 14.9% to 5,859 KRW per kg compared to last year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As of 9:00 on the 23rd, there have been 67 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic AI at poultry farms, 2 cases in ornamental birds, and a total of 94 cases in wild birds. Although the spread has somewhat slowed this month, concerns over a sudden cold wave remain, and authorities are viewing this month as a critical period.

Starting next month, a large volume of U.S. eggs is scheduled to be imported. The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) plans to sell 60 tons of fresh U.S. eggs through an electronic bidding system (atbid) on the 26th from 15:00 to 17:00, targeting actual demand companies such as edible egg collection and sales businesses, confectionery and bakery industries, and those who sell eggs directly to final consumers at business sites.

Furthermore, the government intends to operate flexibly by combining public competitive bidding and direct supply (direct delivery) to actual demand companies for additional quantities introduced in the future, considering price conditions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.