DA Takes Early Action Against Bird Flu Threat to Egg Prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Saturday that it is implementing proactive measures to stabilize the egg supply and prevent potential price hikes amid growing concerns over bird flu.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted that a recent bird flu outbreak in the U.S. has already driven egg prices up due to the culling of millions of egg-laying chickens. While the Philippines has not yet faced a widespread outbreak, the DA is preparing for a possible supply shortage by April.

“Ang problema dito sa shortage na ito is because last year naman, sobrang raming itlog na bumagsak ang presyo sa farmgate ng P4 bawat piraso. Maraming nalugi. Yung mga nalugi naman, kinatay nila yung mga layers nila para magkaroon ng cash,” Laurel explained.
(The issue stems from last year’s egg surplus, which drove farmgate prices down to P4 per piece. Many farmers incurred losses and culled their layers to get cash.)

Preventive Measures in Place
To address the looming threat, the DA is expediting the importation of egg-laying chickens and working to secure Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an avian influenza vaccine.

“Ang pinakamalaking tulong na mabibigay ng DA sa industriya is to facilitate yung kanilang pag-import ng mga bagong layers into the country, ma fast track yan,” said Laurel.
(The best way we can support the industry is by facilitating the swift importation of new layers.)

Laurel assured that there’s still time to prevent a supply shortage. “May chance pa naman ma-avert itong sinasabi ko sa Abril dahil Pebrero pa lang naman. But at least, looking forward, there is a problem, and we will act on it,” he added.
(There is still time to prevent the projected shortage in April since it is only February. But we must act now.)

Industry Response: No Immediate Shortage Expected
However, the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) played down the risk of a shortage, suggesting that egg supply remains stable unless a major bird flu outbreak occurs.

“Ang projection po natin itong taon is meron tayong ine-expect na over supply sa production po ng itlog,” said PEBA President Francis Uyehara.
(Our projection for this year suggests an oversupply of eggs.)

He explained that the parent stock imported last year is now reaching peak productivity, ensuring a steady supply. However, Uyehara cautioned that if a bird flu outbreak occurs, it could disrupt the supply chain.

“Kung magkaroon ng outbreak magkakaproblema po tayo sa supply po ng itlog,” he warned.
(If an outbreak happens, we will face supply issues with eggs.)

As the DA continues to monitor the situation, both government officials and industry leaders are urging vigilance to ensure the country’s egg supply remains unaffected in the coming months.