Retailer Spar is engaging with its private label suppliers and partners to explore the possibility of importing eggs from several Southern African countries to address the current egg supply shortage.
Due to what has been dubbed ‘South Africa’s worst avian flu outbreak’, egg prices have risen significantly in the country, with some retailers like Woolworths and Pick n Pay implementing rationing measures, reported IOL.
The country is currently battling with an outbreak of a high-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a bird flu which spreads rapidly in an infected flock causing a high death rate.
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Spar is actively collaborating with suppliers and exploring various opportunities to ensure a consistent egg supply and reduce risks associated with shortages.
‘This diversification strategy includes discussions with several Southern African countries to potentially import eggs,’ the report quoted Jacques Roets, divisional commodities manager for the Spar Group as saying.
According to Reuters, RCL Foods (RCLJ.J) reported that its poultry division, Rainbow, had to cull 410 000 chickens.
Other poultry industry players such as Astral Foods (ARLJ.J), expressed concerns that the outbreak was causing significant damage to a sector already grappling with South Africa’s electricity crisis and escalating expenses, the report said.
Meanwhile, the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development is facilitating the import of fertile eggs for the broiler industry and working on fast-tracking the registration process of a vaccine, reported The Citizen.
‘With regards to vaccination, the department met with vaccine registration regulators and the agreement reached is that the registration of vaccine will be fast-tracked, but the safety, efficacy and quality will not be compromised,’ the publication quoted the department’s spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo, as saying.
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Consumers in South Africa are facing rising egg prices, and retailers are taking measures to ensure availability and affordability for their customers.
As for the current egg prices at various online delivery services, here is the list, according to IOL:
- Checkers offers Nulaid eggs, with prices ranging from R26 to R30 for a six-pack of free-range eggs and R56 to R70 for an 18-pack of jumbo eggs.
- UberEats also provides eggs, such as Happy Range eggs priced from R30 to R99 for six to 18-packs.
- Pick n Pay offers various options, including six-pack Eggs for Africa medium eggs at R20, six-pack PnP large eggs at R23 and six-pack PnP jumbo eggs at R28.
- Shoprite stocks Nulaid and Solitaire brands, offering six-pack free-range eggs for less than R30 and 18-packs for R70 to R75.
- Woolworths, despite rationing, offers different egg options, including a six-pack of mixed-sized eggs for R25, six-pack free-range large eggs for R30 and six-pack extra-large eggs for R40. Their free-range jumbo eggs are priced at R48.
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