ANN/INQUIRER.NET – The Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines warned of a possible egg shortage in two months, as local producers faced losses from last year’s oversupply and low prices.
“We anticipate a potential egg shortage by April,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr said.
“The problem with this shortage is that last year, there was an oversupply of eggs, causing farm-gate prices to drop by PHP4 per piece,” he told reporters in Filipino.
“Many suffered losses. Those who incurred losses culled their laying hens to generate cash,” he said. This particular situation “significantly reduced the population of egg-laying hens, potentially impacting future supply,” according to the secretary.
Tiu Laurel said local poultry raisers need hatching eggs as the demand for this commodity has started to increase.
“We don’t see it that way, however, anything can happen,” Philippine Egg Board Association chairman emeritus Gregorio San Diego said in a text message.
San Diego also said the domestic supply of eggs has increased since then.
