The poultry industry between the challenges of the present and the hope of the future

2023-08-30 13:00:39

The poultry industry is one of the strategic industries for any country, especially economically developing countries such as Egypt, where the population is growing and the average income per capita is low, which leads to a decrease in per capita consumption of animal protein. Poultry is the cheapest source of animal protein compared to red meat, the price of which is up to 6 times the price per kilo for poultry, not only meat but also eggs, which is very important for every family of different ages, and the per capita consumption rate in developed countries reaches more than ۳۰ kg /per capita per year) while in Egypt the percentage is still 5 kg per capita, which is much lower than the average percentage in developed countries. 

But the number of live birds in Egypt reaches one billion and 200 million chickens per year and with the suspension of export, production has become only for the local market, which puts pressure on breeders as consumption is disrupted by supply and demand.

 Since the avian influenza crisis in 2005, the export of slaughtered chickens as well as hatching eggs was stopped, and starting from 2016, with the state's economic reform program, the cost of production more than doubled and the cost of a living kilo increased from 10 pounds to ۲۲ pounds per kilo, although with the increase in the economic burden on citizens and the lack of foreign tourism, consumption decreased to 30-40% of normal, although 85% of the industry 

The industry has been hit by painful blows, the latest of which was the increase in the price of feed from 6800 pounds per ton to 8400 pounds with a decrease in the selling price for the previous reasons 

Therefore, it is necessary to develop short-and long-term solutions to promote this vital industry, including:

 1-opening export markets with the increase of avian influenza-free farms.

 2-increasing awareness of the exploitation of chilled and frozen meat and reducing live sales to reduce the risk of sudden price drops. 

3-an epidemiological map to prevent the spread of serious disease outbreaks.

 4-increase meat production by reducing the minus and increasing the rate of food conversion.

5-reducing antibiotics and the use of medical treatments and attention to disinfection with the expansion of the use of probiotics and natural growth stimulants increase export. 

Looking to the future, we find that this industry will become more important to invest in and it will be very profitable with the increase of slaughterhouses and the improvement of the economic situation, but we must keep up with the development of this important industry.