GEORGE NEWS - The South African Poultry Association (Sapa) Egg Board says in a statement that egg supplies have been restored to the balanced levels of before the avian flu outbreak last year. This makes the import of eggs unnecessary, according to Egg Board chairman Willie Bosoga. The first shipment of imported eggs arrived in South Africa in June this year.
"The eggs are sourced from countries where we have little knowledge of those countries' disease status and eggs are not inspected for physical or biological status," says Bosoga. "The eggs are refrigerated at 2 degrees Celsius during their sea voyage, then repacked and distributed at ambient temperatures. This break in the cold chain in itself will cause deterioration.
"The countries from which they are sourced enjoy subsidies and export incentives at multiple levels in the production chain."
The Western Cape was affected the most by the drop in bird numbers because of avian flu after 4,7 million hens - about 20% of the national laying flock - was culled under instruction of the state vet. According to figures of the Egg Board, the number of laying hens has increased drastically since October last year, and is now at levels maintained before the outbreak.
This is because the egg industry embarked on extraordinary measures to correct the imbalance in supply when egg shortages were experienced, primarily in the Western Cape.
This was done by increasing the period that layer flocks were kept in production, importing fertile layer eggs to incubate locally, and cancelling any non-contractual exports of eggs.
According to Bosoga, imported eggs mostly affect the informal market.
Most formal retailers have high food safety protocols in place with regular inspections at source of production and packing.
Pick n Pay spokesperson Janine Caradonna said Pick n Pay does not import eggs and all eggs sold in-store are sourced from local producers.
The sharp drop in egg supply has turned around and is back at the normal levels from before the avian flu.
Woolworths said it stocks only free range eggs from local producers.
The George Herald earlier reported that avian flu had not affected egg producers in the George area as they had the best possible prevention measures in place.
Bosoga encouraged citizens to buy local.
"Consumers buying South African eggs can be assured of the freshness, safety, top quality and high nutritional value that local eggs have to offer."
The George Herald is awaiting comment from Shoprite.
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