Overview
- The Agriculture Ministry’s order confines outdoor poultry in designated high‑risk and surveillance areas, and farms are tightening biosecurity protocols.
- Egg prices have surged, with the CPI showing a 22.5% year‑on‑year increase and key auction markets reporting additional double‑digit gains.
- Producers say roughly 3 million hens have been culled this year and warn of short‑term drops in free‑range output, with some farmers estimating 20%–30% lower laying after confinement.
- Industry groups report no risk of shortages as free‑range eggs account for under 10% of production and only about 3% of meat chickens are raised outdoors, while health authorities note properly cooked eggs and poultry are safe.
- Consumer organizations are pressing for temporary VAT cuts on eggs and chicken and say they will watch for opportunistic price increases.