South African chickens hit by ‘worst’ bird flu outbreak - warning of possible poultry & egg price hikes

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By AFP

22 Sep 2023
06:00 pm

South African chickens hit by ‘worst’ bird flu outbreak

The number of bird flu cases in South Africa this year was higher than in any year since the first outbreaks were reported in 2017.

South African poultry farmers have warned of possible chicken and egg shortages as they battle what the industry says is the worst bird flu outbreak ever to hit the country.

Producer Quantum Foods said on Friday that this year it had lost almost two million chickens – worth a total of more than R100 million – because of the disease.

“The bird flu outbreak is the worst that South Africa has witnessed,” fellow producer Astral said in a trading update on Thursday.

“(It) has already caused short supplies of table eggs into the market, and it is expected that the supply of poultry meat into the value chain could be affected negatively in the coming months.”
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https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/south-african-chickens-bird-flu-outbreak/

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Translation Google

South African poultry industry threatened by bird flu

Poultry farmers in South Africa are worried. All their chicken farming could go out the window. The animals are hit by an avian epizootic, described as “ the worst ” ever known in the country.

Published on :09/24/2023 - 04:28
By : RFI

Quantum Foods, one of the heavyweights in the market, deplores losses in its farms of up to 5.3 million dollars (4.9 million euros), or two million chickens dead due to the virus. Previously, Astral, the largest chicken producer, had announced a shortage of eggs.

According to experts, this is the worst outbreak of bird flu the country has ever seen. The first cases appeared on commercial farms in April. The virus first affected eggs. Now, it is expected that the supply of poultry meat will also be affected.

South Africa is one of the poultry market leaders on the continent. The first cases of bird flu on commercial farms appeared this year in April, according to the South African Poultry Association. According to the organization, breeders are faced with two strains of the virus, H5N1 and H7N6. The latter is spreading “ at an alarming speed ” particularly in the most populous province bringing together Pretoria and the economic capital Johannesburg, according to Astral.

Across the world, bird flu is increasingly affecting animals ranging from foxes to sea lions . This makes the World Health Organization (WHO) fear that the virus will adapt to contaminate humans more easily.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/économie/2023...e-sud-africaine-menacée-par-la-grippe-aviaire

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Related to:

South Africa - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 in poultry in farms 2023
https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...c-avian-influenza-h5-in-poultry-in-farms-2023

South Africa - Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H7N6 in poultry in farms 2023
https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...vian-influenza-h7n6-in-poultry-in-farms-2023​



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[sharon sanders]

Quantum Foods Hit by Bird Flu Outbreak, Impact on Financials Unknown

By Deborah Taylor

26 SEPTEMBER 2023


Quantum Foods, a South African poultry company, has confirmed a bird flu outbreak on its farms in Gauteng and the North-West province. The highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak has affected approximately 1.5 million of the company’s layer and breeding stock. The financial impact of the outbreak is not yet known, as it will depend on the availability of eggs for sale in the future. However, as of September 21, 2023, the estimated value of the company’s birds affected by the outbreak is R106 million.​

snip

In addition to Quantum Foods, Astral Foods also reported an outbreak of avian flu. Astral Foods expects to post a loss for the year due to the outbreak and the cost of mitigating against load shedding, estimated to be R919 million for the remainder of the financial year. Astral Foods’ earnings per share for the year ended September could decrease by as much as 165%, resulting in a loss of R18.08 per share.

more...https://fagenwasanni.com/news/quant...outbreak-impact-on-financials-unknown/266241/

 

[sharon sanders]

snip

CEO of the SA Poultry Association, Abongile Balarane, says: “We are hoping because of the number of deaths that supply and demand forces would dictate the drive of prices and products in SA. So, we definitely believe that they will be some increases in the prices of poultry products due to the products that have been lost.”

more... https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/podcast-consumers-warned-of-expected-poultry-price-hike/

 

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Namibia Bans Chicken From S.Africa Over Bird Flu Outbreak

By AFP - Agence France Presse
September 27, 2023

Namibia has banned the import of chicken and eggs from neighbouring South Africa, which is battling the worst bird flu outbreak ever to hit the country, the government announced Wednesday.

The move, which has immediate effect, was triggered by an "alarming" increase in cases of "highly pathogenic avian influenza", the southwestern African country's agriculture ministry said.
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SAPA said the number of avian flu cases in South Africa this year was higher than in any year since the first outbreaks were reported in commercial farms in 2017.

...https://www.barrons.com/news/namibia-bans-chicken-from-s-africa-over-bird-flu-outbreak-546053ff

 

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Translation Google

South African company RCL Foods culls 410,000 chickens due to bird flu outbreak

September 28, 2023 at 10:58 a.m.

South African group RCL Foods announced on Thursday that its Rainbow poultry production unit had culled 410,000 chickens due to the country's most serious bird flu outbreak, raising fears of a meat shortage chicken and eggs.

The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a bird flu that spreads rapidly through an infected flock and causes a high mortality rate, has already impacted the supply of table eggs in the country and Producers have warned of a shortage of chicken meat in the coming weeks.

Rainbow is one of South Africa's largest chicken producers, supplying retailers and fast food companies.

“The outbreak has progressed rapidly and the situation is constantly evolving. To date, an estimated 410,000 birds have been culled, resulting in an estimated financial impact of R115 million ($5.99 million),” RCL Foods said in an update.

The company said it was taking steps to avoid supply disruptions, but "there are tensions in the supply chain."

Neighboring Namibia suspended poultry imports from South Africa on Wednesday, citing the avian flu outbreak. However, South Africa only exports between 1 and 2% of its production, according to the country's poultry producers' association.

Last week, RCL peers including Astral Foods and Quantum Foods, the country's largest integrated poultry processor, said the avian flu outbreak was ravaging a sector already burdened by the electricity crisis and rising costs in South Africa.

($1 = R19.1864) (Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Susan Fenton)

https://www.zonebourse.com/cours/in...on-de-l-epidemie-de-grippe-aviaire-44937599/​

 

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Woolworths limits eggs you can buy: here’s how many and how much it’ll cost

By Faizel Patel
Senior Digital Journalist

4 Oct 2023
08:41 am
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Shelves of eggs are running low, and sometimes empty. When eggs are available, customers have reportedly only being able to buy smaller cartons.

In a move to prevent shelves running empty, Woolworths has announced a temporary restriction on how many eggs you can buy.

“Due to the shortage of eggs caused by the avian flu, we need to prioritise the use of available whole eggs that meet our standards of food safety and quality for Woolies products made with eggs.

“As a temporary measure, we therefore have to limit whole egg purchases to 1 pack of six eggs per customer.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/news/woolworths-limits-how-many-eggs-you-can-buy/
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[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

South Africa: Unprecedented bird flu causes egg shortages

Eggs are disappearing from supermarket shelves in South Africa. The fault lies in an unprecedented avian flu epidemic in chicken farms. More than 5 million laying hens have been culled to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccination does not exist in South Africa. Neighboring Namibia has suspended the importation of South African poultry to protect itself. In the land of eggs and bacon, South Africans will have to change their breakfast. Consumers are desperate.

Published on :08/10/2023 - 23:37

By : RFI
With our correspondent in Johannesburg , Romain Chanson

In a few minutes, the last egg cartons available in this supermarket should disappear. There is no longer much choice and prices have exploded, laments Arlene. “ It’s very hard to find it and now the prices have almost doubled . »

The store apologizes and informs its customers that the purchase is limited to two boxes. Count 1 euro and 15 cents, for 6 eggs. Doubtful, Lebo prefers to move on. “ The prices are indecent. We're not used to that . »

It's even worse in a SPAR supermarket where the shelves have been empty for a few days. The chain is considering importing eggs from neighboring countries to deal with dissatisfaction from complaining customers. “ A lot…that’s what worries us the most. »

Bryan Tshuma is the store manager. “ They eat a lot of eggs every day, like for breakfast. They should expect a hard blow at the bakery level, starting next week. We cannot offer them products cooked with eggs when we don't have any. This is very bad for our business. »

After eggs, poultry meat could soon become scarce. More than 2 million breeding hens were slaughtered.


https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20231...e-sans-précédent-provoque-des-pénuries-d-œufs