With the worst-ever bird flu outbreak wreaking havoc on the country’s poultry sector, retailers are struggling to secure egg supplies.

Customers in Cape Town and Johannesburg – where the outbreaks have been especially devastating – are being rationed by supermarkets like Woolworths and Pick n Pay in order to “ensure regular supply returns as soon as possible”, said Woolworths.

Shoprite confirmed to News24: “We are working closely with suppliers securing as much stock as possible and utilising our supply chain to transport to regions experiencing shortages.”

Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, met with affected retailers on Monday and discussed containment measures, possible short-term and long-term solutions to manage the outbreaks, as well as vaccinations.

The department stated, “In response to this challenge, the minister is focusing on measures to improve the availability of egg supply to consumers and simultaneously putting measures to contain the spread of the disease. Moreover, the minister is embarking on the efficiency improvement in issuing import permits for egg products to ensure sufficient supplies for consumers.”

Darul Ihsan Media Desk