AI Confirmed at Pyeongtaek Laying Hen Farm, Culling Conducted... Egg Prices Rise

American eggs imported to stabilize the soaring egg prices caused by the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) are being sold on the 8th at a warehouse discount store in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Avian Influenza (AI) announced on the 11th that a high pathogenic AI (H5N8 type) was confirmed at a layer farm in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. The farm has a breeding scale of approximately 240,000 birds.

The headquarters detected the H5 type AI antigen at this farm during a nationwide inspection of egg-producing poultry farms, and after conducting a detailed examination to determine pathogenicity, it was confirmed as high pathogenic AI.

Accordingly, preventive culling, movement restrictions, and intensive disinfection measures have been implemented for poultry farms around this farm.

The headquarters urged all poultry farms nationwide to "thoroughly disinfect all areas of the farm, vehicles, people, and equipment, and strictly follow basic rules such as changing boots when entering the poultry houses."

As culling increases and the number of layers available to lay eggs decreases, egg prices are showing a steep upward trend. As of midnight on the 10th, a total of 14,389,000 layers have been culled at 173 domestic farms since the end of November last year.

As of 4 a.m. the previous day, the price of eggs (special grade, 10 pieces) was 2,494 won, a 44.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Compared to the average year, it rose by 41%. Based on one tray (30 pieces), the price is 7,482 won.