The Egyptian poultry sector, comprising over 27,000 diverse farms, is seeing stable egg prices, currently ranging from 110 to 115 pounds per tray at the farm. According to Abdelaziz El-Sayed, head of the poultry wealth division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, this stability is a positive indicator for the industry. The sector includes various types of farms such as table eggs, broiler chickens, parent stock farms, and companies specializing in producing parent and grandparent stock.

The Egyptian government is actively supporting the poultry sector by providing assistance to small and large producers and working to open new export markets in Arab, African, and international markets. This support comes after Egypt was approved as one of the countries applying the isolated poultry farm system according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regulations. The government's efforts aim to boost the sector's growth and export capabilities.

Egypt has seen a significant increase in egg production, reaching 16 billion eggs, up from 14 billion the previous year. The production of local breed chickens also rose to 360 million birds, marking an increase of over 12%. These statistics were provided by Dr. Tarek Soliman, head of the Animal Wealth and Poultry Development Sector. The growth in production is contributing to the stability of egg prices in the market.

The current consumer price for eggs is 125 pounds, with the average Egyptian consuming around 140 eggs per year from local farms. According to Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk, the poultry industry is a cornerstone of food security and the national economy, providing direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 3.5 million citizens. This highlights the sector's crucial role in the country's economy and food supply.

The price of local breed eggs is 135 pounds per tray, while the prices of red eggs have reached 130 pounds per tray. The government has made significant strides in increasing the production capacity of veterinary vaccines to 2.3 billion doses annually, up from 120 million doses previously. This development is crucial for maintaining the health and productivity of the poultry sector.

The egg market is currently trading at 125 to 130 pounds per tray. The Ministry of Agriculture is working to expedite the opening of new markets to absorb the surplus local production, especially given the recent surge in the poultry sector. By providing easy financing options for breeders in collaboration with major banks, the ministry aims to support the purchase of necessary production inputs.

The poultry sector in Egypt has experienced unprecedented investment and production growth in recent years, with investments exceeding 200 billion pounds. The government's ongoing support and the sector's potential for further growth indicate a positive outlook for Egypt's poultry and egg industry. With its significant contributions to food security and employment, the sector is likely to continue playing a vital role in the country's economy.

Key points

  • The Egyptian government is supporting the poultry sector through initiatives such as providing financing options and opening new export markets.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.