Increase in Number of Laying Hens and Ducks in Q1... Last Year's AI Base Effect

Published 21 Apr.2022 12:00(KST)

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Due to the base effect from last year's avian influenza (AI) outbreak, the number of laying hens and ducks increased by double digits in the first quarter of this year.

According to the '2022 First Quarter Livestock Trend Survey' released by Statistics Korea on the 21st, as of March 1, the number of livestock raised increased for Korean beef cattle, pigs, laying hens, and ducks, while dairy cows and broilers decreased.

The number of laying hens raised was 70,428,000, an increase of 8,318,000 (13.4%) compared to one year ago. The number of laying hens was 72,580,000 in December 2020 but sharply declined to 62,110,000 in March last year due to large-scale culling caused by the spread of AI. Subsequently, restocking occurred sequentially, increasing the numbers to 65,871,000 in June, 77,220,000 in September, and 72,612,000 in December last year.

Laying hens generally start laying eggs after six months or more. The number of laying hens aged six months or older was 50,153,000 as of the 1st of last month, which decreased compared to 46,097,000 in the same period last year, whereas the number of those under three months old increased to 10,812,000 from 8,873,000 a year earlier.

Livestock Trends in Q1 2022

The number of ducks raised was 5,706,000, an increase of 1,788,000 (45.6%) compared to the same period last year. This was also largely influenced by the base effect from last year's AI outbreak.

The number of Korean beef cattle raised was 3,510,000, an increase of 137,000 (4.1%) compared to one year ago. A Statistics Korea official explained, "The increase in calf and cattle prices last year led to a higher breeding intention, resulting in an increase in the number of cattle aged two years or older."

The number of dairy cows raised was 397,000, a decrease of 9,000 (2.1%) compared to one year ago. Pigs numbered 11,169,000, an increase of 22,000 (0.2%) compared to one year ago.

The number of broilers was 89,990,000, a decrease of 6,371,000 (6.6%) compared to one year ago. Statistics Korea explained that the decrease in stocking volume was due to reduced productivity of broiler parent stocks caused by cold waves in January and February and AI.