Culling of 2.67 Million Laying Hens Due to AI... Government "All-Out Effort to Stabilize Egg Supply Ahead of Lunar New Year"

The government has decided to make every effort to stabilize egg supply and prices in preparation for the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and the Lunar New Year peak season.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 14th, 2.67 million laying hens have been culled (including preventive culling) due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI). This accounts for about 3.5% of the total laying hen population of 76.13 million (Statistics Korea, Q3 2023), but the number may increase due to additional AI outbreaks. Furthermore, an increase in egg demand during the Lunar New Year peak season is expected to lead to a rise in consumer prices.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will implement a comprehensive plan to stabilize egg supply and prices in response to the spread of highly pathogenic AI and the Lunar New Year peak season.

First, during the Lunar New Year peak season (January 11 to February 8), consumers will be able to purchase eggs at a 30% discounted price through discounts on agricultural and livestock products. Due to the discount support, the actual consumer price has dropped to around 6,100 KRW for 30 premium eggs since January 11. In addition, to suppress price increases caused by increased egg demand during the discount period, the supply volume of eggs will be expanded (500 tons/week) through NongHyup, and the delivery price will be reduced (500 KRW/30 eggs) to supply large supermarkets and Hanaro Mart.

Currently, the daily egg production is about 45 million eggs, and the supply capacity is considered sufficient. However, to alleviate supply anxiety caused by the outbreak of highly pathogenic AI and to expand stable supply capacity, farms have also implemented measures to extend the egg production age of laying hens. Along with this, to shift domestic egg demand for processed egg products (egg yolk, egg white, whole egg) to imported eggs, a tariff quota has been applied since January 1, and real demand companies are importing quickly. Lastly, in cooperation with the Laying Hen Association, central laying hens (14 weeks old) are being raised and stockpiled and supplied to farms that have culled laying hens, enabling those farms to secure a production base early (reducing the egg reproduction period by 4 months).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to gradually expand the import of fresh eggs to temporarily resolve supply instability if supply shortages and consumer price increases occur due to increased culling from the spread of highly pathogenic AI. Since there is concern that distributors may hold excessive inventory due to expectations of rising egg prices, the ministry will analyze egg distribution volumes through the traceability system and jointly inspect inventory levels with related agencies.

Kim Jeong-wook, Director of Livestock Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "We will closely monitor the supply and demand situation to ensure there is no disruption in egg supply during the Lunar New Year peak season and take proactive measures to prevent price instability." He also urged, "Farms should thoroughly manage biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic AI."