By Keletso Mkhwanazi
Eggs are a quick and cheap source of protein. You can eat them in a variety whether it is for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Due to an outbreak of avian flu, there is a shortage of eggs. A new strain of the virus, which is expected to remain an issue until October, is having a devastating impact on small businesses.
Thapelo Sibanda, the owner of Soshanguve’s Main Street egg vendor, had an egg disaster last week when her distributor failed to deliver eggs.
She had to travel to Hammanskraal, where she could only get six cases of eggs.
“Buying in bulk is now prohibited, which is a challenge for local firms who rely on it to stay in business and preserve good client connections,” Sibanda told Vutivi News.
She called on the government to intervene sooner rather than later in avoid business losses.
The virus has caused severe harm in South Africa, resulting in the loss of between 15% and 20% of the country’s national production.
“The situation is expected to be temporary, with a hen shortage and a strain on the egg supply. However, restocking the farms will be viable once the flu has passed, which is usually around October as warmer weather approaches.
“Interprovincial trade will also help ease the shortage in the coming months,” said SA Poultry Association (SAPA) CEO Abongile Balarane.
A number of stores have issued alerts about the egg shortage.
The Department of Agriculture is tackling the outbreak and coordinating with impacted institutions to assist them.
The new strain has been detected in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Free State.
