Despite concerns raised by the Department of Agriculture (DA) over a potential egg supply shortage due to bird flu, the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) stated on Sunday that they foresee no such shortage through April and May.
PEBA president Francis Uyehara clarified that, based on industry projections, the country will have a sufficient egg supply due to better production rates this year compared to the same period last year.
“Sa ating grupo sa industriya, wala tayong inaasahang kakulangan sa itlog sa darating na April at May. Nagulat din kami doon sa detalye na lumabas sa Department of Agriculture,” Uyehara said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
(For our group in the industry, we do not expect a shortage of eggs this coming April and May. We were surprised by the statement from the Department of Agriculture.)
He emphasized that the current production levels indicate a stable supply at least until mid-year.
DA’s Warning and Proactive Measures
Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. warned of a possible egg supply shortage by April, citing the impact of a bird flu outbreak in the U.S. that led to the culling of millions of egg-laying chickens, driving prices higher.
“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,” Tiu Laurel said.
(There is still time to prevent the projected shortage in April since it is only February. But looking ahead, there is a potential problem, and we will address it.)
The DA is reportedly taking proactive measures to stabilize the egg supply and prevent potential price hikes amid bird flu concerns.
PEBA Downplays Price Hike Fears
Uyehara also dismissed fears of significant egg price increases, stating that prices typically peak during the holiday season in December and New Year.
“Hindi po ganong tataas kasi ang pinakamataas na presyo ng itlog ay nangyayari tuwing Disyembre o holiday season ng Kapaskuhan at Bagong Taon,” he explained.
(Prices won’t increase significantly because the highest egg prices occur during December or the holiday season at Christmas and New Year.)
However, he cautioned that projections could change if there were multiple bird flu outbreaks in the country.
Concerns Over DA’s Egg Importation Plans
Uyehara expressed concern over the DA’s plan to import hatching eggs, warning that it could lead to an oversupply that might harm local farmers.
“‘Pagka nangyari po ‘yun, magkakaro’n tayo ng talagang oversupply at ‘yun ang papatay sa ating local producers kasi nga po, meron nga tayong sapat na supply. Ngayon kung dadagdagan pa nila, ay magkakaroon talaga ng oversupply,” he lamented.
(If that happens, we will have an oversupply, which will harm our local producers because we already have enough supply. If more is added, there will definitely be an oversupply.)
As the DA and PEBA present differing views on the situation, both sides agree that monitoring the bird flu threat and ensuring a balanced supply will be crucial in the coming months.