No need to panic buy amid bird flu outbreak: Agriculture Department

September 29, 2023 91

The Department of Agriculture has warned against panic buying as the highly infectious avian influenza – poses a threat to the supply of chicken and eggs in the country.

The food industry is currently dealing with a deadly outbreak of the bird flu, in which the country has lost around 25% of its national flock.

At least 2.7-million chickens have been lost to date, which has cost the industry millions of rands.

The outbreak has also prompted fears of shortage of chicken products as well as escalating prices.

Speaking to YNews, Department spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo, says there is no need to buy in bulk – due to fears of a shortage.

The Department also believes that there will be a shortage of chicken in the country, due to the highly infectious avian influenza.

The hardest hit provinces are the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, KZN, Limpopo, and Gauteng.

Ngcobo says there is a shortage of eggs, but they hope the measures they’ve put in place will minimise the impact of the shortage.

The attached map shows Gauteng areas which are affected by the Avian Influenza (bird flu) in September 2023. #GDARDECares #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/OM2bvzrPwc

— GP_AgricRuralEnviro (@OfficialGDARD) September 29, 2023

Earlier this week, Namibia suspended imports of live poultry, birds and poultry products from South Africa following the spread of the bird flu.

Namibia consumes an estimated 2.500 tons of chicken every month, relying on imports mainly from SA.

Internationally, the avian influenza is also causing havoc, after an estimated 400 seals and sea lions turned up dead on the coast of Uruguay in recent weeks.

The dead animals turned up on the Atlantic coast and along the river.

Bird flu leads to possible egg, chicken meat shortages https://t.co/YWIUCJwX33

— ChickenFacts (@ChickenFactsSA) September 29, 2023

⚠️ Warning Food Business Owners ⚠

There is going to be an increase in price of chicken and eggs as we go through what some are calling our “worst” bird-flu outbreak. 🐔🥚

South Africa has been hit by a dangerous bird flu Outbreak. Five of our country’s nine provinces have…

— Farmer 💎 (@Gracelandfarmer) September 29, 2023