Bird flu. Caused by viruses of the Orthomyxorividae family, especially H5N1 serotype Because it is considered highly pathogenic (although it is very difficult to infect humans), it has become a real headache for the poultry sector. According to the latest update from the Ministry of Agriculture. 14 outbreaks in poultry others Wild bird 68th place. They estimate 2.5 million birds from Asaha, with only Castile and León being sacrificed. This has led the Ministry of Agriculture to implement the restrictions contemplated in Order APA/2442/2006 from Monday of this week. This includes a ban on keeping poultry outdoors. In this situation of uncertainty, consumers’ pockets suffer: the National Institute for Statistics (INE) estimates the price of registered eggs. Increased by 17.9% in September Compared to the previous 12 months, there has been a cumulative increase of 15.9% since January. Meanwhile, OCU also detected that chicken prices have increased by 7.5% since May, with the average price in supermarkets rising from €3.25 to €3.5 per kg.
According to INE estimates, egg prices rose by 17.9% in September compared to the previous 12 months, with a cumulative increase of 15.9% since January. Meanwhile, OCU detected a 7.5% increase in chicken volume since May.
Chicken’s “curious incident”
Enrique García, a spokesperson for the consumer group, said: “The rise of products like chicken is Strong demand and stable supply are very strange things. In this sense, OCU also warned that egg prices have increased by 50% in six months and that it believes the “moment of uncertainty” the egg industry is experiencing is serious, he added. It can spread like a grease stain.”Similar to pastries, related products that use eggs and chicken as ingredients.
Sources from the Spanish Poultry Interprofessional Association, (Avianza) It emphasizes that poultry meat production is carried out as follows. “Closed farm where biosecurity measures have already been activated” Increased by over 90%. Specifically, the interprofessional association estimates that 750 million chickens are produced in Spain each year to produce fresh and processed poultry products. This is 1.7 million tons. Aviança general secretary Jordi Monfort defended the company in a statement: “The industry is ready to respond to this threat.“Zero risk does not exist, but fewer farms and birds are affected by slaughter in the poultry sector (primarily broiler chickens),” it added. message of peace He argues that biosafety requirements in meat poultry farming have been constantly strengthened in recent years. ”
“There are no factors to explain the increase,” says José Ramón González (UPA). Ramon Solanilla, from Asaja Huesca, called on ranchers to “extend biosecurity measures”.
Return to price formation
Garcia (OCU) left two messages with the Department of Agriculture. One is to continue taking necessary measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza, and the other is the Food Information Control Agency (AICA).) monitor price formation The petition to ban the use of eggs, poultry and their derivatives is supported by agricultural organizations such as the UPA, whose livestock secretary José Ramon González said: “There are no factors to explain the rise.”. It added that this price increase would not affect producers and there was a risk that consumption would decline.
Ramon Solanilla, General Secretary of ASAJA Huesca, said: Origin price increase is calculated as 15% In the last 6 weeks (received by producers) and while on the shelves (paid by consumers) 32 were shot%. Mr. Solanilla recalled that poultry in other European countries, which are great partners for the Spanish economy, are also affected by this virus. These cases include Germany and Poland, Poultry flocks are decreasing and demand for eggs from southern European countries is increasing. For the head of Asaha Huesca, the biggest risk lies with free-range hens, and he is not afraid to call on farmers to: “Thorough biosafety measures” However, he believes it is “difficult” for influenza to enter intensive farms. “The moment the virus enters, the mortality rate increases rapidly, so we have to implement a sanitary evacuation, which means we have to sacrifice farm animals,” he argues.
“There was a sharp rise in origin prices in February, which was quickly passed on to supermarkets, followed by a feather effect of price reductions in October,” criticizes Enrique García (OCU).
“Rocket feather effect” and eggs
An OCU spokesperson spoke of a “boom rocket effect” in egg prices, saying: “There was a sharp rise in origin prices in February, which was immediately transferred to supermarkets;Alternatively, there was a feather effect in terms of cuts in October. The consumer association is therefore proposing the removal of value added tax on eggs, poultry and fish. “These are products that have a huge impact on household economics. Consumption decreases due to higher prices “There is a lack of protein, which is essential for a balanced diet,” he concluded with concern. In his opinion, “eggs are difficult to replace” and blames the fact that food has become up to 31% more expensive in recent years, even though salaries have not increased at the same rate.
Is there a “ceiling” for egg climbing?
Enrique García (OCU) believes that egg prices will continue to rise. “As long as there is uncertainty, it’s not short-term.” And there are conditions that allow for the outbreak of avian influenza,” he points out. In this regard, he says there is a certain seasonality between the weather seasons when bird flu occurs more frequently. Garcia believes that “with a rational competition mechanism, one would expect prices to rise due to increased production costs, even if they are currently falling.” Prices should come down, but they haven’t happened yet. “According to the data sent to us by the Ministry of the Environment, the peak of the impact has already passed. Fifteen days ago, only a few wild birds were affected, and now the number is about 20,” Solanila said with great care. As such, the emergence of this outbreak arrival of migratory birds And the temperature becomes lower and lower, ensuring the survival of the virus.
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