Mozambique faces a significant challenge in its poultry industry owing to the spread of bird flu, a concern that extends to neighbouring South Africa. The Mozambican province of Inhambane was recently affected, leading to the culling of 45 thousand laying hens. These birds, which produced about 44 thousand eggs a day for consumption, were culled as a preventive measure, given their link to the outbreaks in South Africa.
The affected production unit, located in the district of Morrumbene, belongs to a South African businessman and played a crucial role in supplying eggs in Inhambane province, one of Mozambique's most touristic, and in adjacent regions. The company is not expected to resume activities until February next year, representing an estimated monthly loss of 13 million meticais.
Américo da Conceição, national director of Livestock Development, urged poultry farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures at their facilities, in order to prevent future outbreaks.
South Africa, on the other hand, already struggling with various challenges in its poultry industry, has culled approximately 2.5 million chickens to contain the spread of the disease. Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria, was particularly affected, with more than half of the outbreaks recorded.
Faced with growing shortages, some shops in Johannesburg have begun to limit the quantity of eggs available for sale. In response, the South African Government is speeding up the issuing of licences to import eggs from other countries, in an attempt to guarantee supply. In addition, a vaccination programme to combat bird flu is under consideration.
The current crisis is described by the South African Poultry Association as the worst since 2017. The situation is even more worrying in light of data from the North American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicate a global increase in bird flu outbreaks in recent years.
South Africa, already affected by electricity supply problems, has seen its poultry industry hit even harder, with frequent blackouts affecting production. Earlier this year, almost 10 million chicks had to be culled owing to power cuts.
In short, bird flu is having a significant impact on the poultry industry in Mozambique and South Africa, with economic and social consequences that extend beyond the borders of these countries.
