Eggs go for sale in a market in Manila on Jan. 17, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said it is taking steps to prevent a possible egg shortage and price surge in the Philippines.

Although the country has not experienced a widespread bird flu outbreak, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel cautioned that an egg supply shortage is possible by April after many egg-laying hens were culled last year.

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“Last year, sobrang daming 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,” said Tiu Laurel. 

(Last year, there were so many eggs that the farmgate price dropped to P4 a piece. Many took on losses and culled their layers so they would have cash)

He said the best way for government to help poultry industry would be facilitate and fast-track the importation of new layers.

SINAG: NO PROBLEMS WITH SUPPLY BUT PRICES STILL HIGH

An agricultural group meanwhile said it is not seeing any problems in supply. It urged the government to look into the disconnect between farmgate egg prices and retail prices instead.

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“Mataas din ang markup. From P8 parang per egg ang patong mo, P2. Ang tingin kaagad ay may kulang dahil mahal ang presyo… Hindi suplay ang problem kundi ang tubo ng mga nagbebenta beyond farmgate,” said SINAG Executive Director Jayson Cainglet.

(The markup is high.You get it at P8 per egg and you tack on P2. People would think there is a shortage because of the price. The problem isn't in supply but in the markup by those selling beyond farmgate)

Meanwhile, the DA said it is also trying to avert a crisis similar to the one currently affecting the U.S., where a bird flu outbreak has led to the culling of millions of egg-laying chickens.

It is working to secure the P300 million requested by the National Livestock Program to fund vaccine testing against avian influenza, with the possibility of mass inoculation beginning as early as March.

“Target namin March, April din e so that will give confidence also to our industry,” said Tiu Laurel.