Overview
- Spain’s Agriculture Ministry has imposed confinement of outdoor poultry in designated areas and tightened biosecurity after rising H5N1 risk, with producers implementing disinfection protocols and movement controls.
- Egg prices have surged, with the IPC showing roughly 22.5% year‑on‑year inflation and market data pointing to further recent increases, while chicken prices have also climbed in recent months.
- Industry groups FAC and Avianza state national supply of eggs and chicken remains secure, noting free‑range hens account for under 10% of egg output and only about 3% of broilers are raised outdoors.
- Farmers report stress on free‑range systems, warning of short‑term laying declines of around 20%–30% after confinement and citing culling reports of about 3 million hens that are adding cost and supply pressure.
- Consumer groups OCU and AVACU urge temporary VAT relief on eggs and chicken to blunt holiday‑season costs, as health authorities reiterate that properly cooked poultry and eggs do not transmit H5N1 to consumers.