Overview
- The government’s nationwide confinement of birds took effect on November 13 and primarily targets outdoor‑reared flocks, including free‑range and organic hens.
- Industry groups FAC and Avianza state that availability of eggs and chicken is assured because free‑range output is a small share of production, roughly 10% of laying hens and 3% of broilers.
- Retail prices are climbing: eggs are up 15.9% since January per the INE and 22.5% year over year per the latest CPI, while chicken has risen about 7.5% since May according to the OCU.
- Authorities report nearly 3 million birds culled this year and confirm 14 outbreaks in poultry, 5 in captive flocks and 68 in wild birds linked to H5N1.
- Officials and producers cite multiple pressures—avian flu impacts on production and exports, stronger demand with consumption up 4.2% against just 0.3% growth in the laying‑hen census—while consumer groups monitor prices and AVACU urges temporary VAT removal on eggs and chicken.