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The South African Poultry Association (Sapa) warns it is becoming increasingly more expensive for farmers to produce eggs.
Eggs remain one of the most affordable, versatile and nutritious animal protein sources; however, the variable costs to produce an egg, including electricity, fuels and feed, have increased from 70% to 80% in a span of a few months, the association reports.
These soaring costs, including the pressure having been added to electricity costs following Eskom’s 18.5% tariff increase in April, coupled with loadshedding, have severely impacted on egg production and packing in South Africa.
These conditions have forced many producers, particularly small producers, and some pack stations to exit the industry.
Sapa confirms that the entire value chain has been affected by high costs and loadshedding, especially at primary egg production level, with the day-old pullets hatched expected to decline by 35%, and the point of lays hens replacement also expected to be 11% lower.
The association is nonetheless confident that resilient egg producers will continue to offer South Africa this much-loved animal protein source.