GINA | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY

Contingency plans to handle egg shortage, no need to panic

October 2, 2003

The poultry industry in Guyana has several contingency plans in place to deal with shortfalls in the supply of eggs and/or chicken.
In recent weeks there have been speculations that the supply of local poultry products may become short because of a shortfall in the supply of eggs from the United States of America. However, the public can be assured that local chicken production will not be adversely affected.
If there is a possible egg supply shortage, the industry may either substitute imports of eggs for the production of breeder flock (layers) for the meat production type or the local poultry industry can boost their production of eggs.
Eggs are imported to be used mainly for the production of chickens and breeding.
Over the years the import volume of eggs for hatching and other purposes has increased.
Eggs imported for the hatching, take a maximum time of take 3 weeks to incubate and to a further 8 weeks to grow for the market.
Statistics available on the Ministry of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock’s website indicated that hatching eggs for the production of meat (meat birds) have been increasing over the years.
The number of cases of broiler hatching eggs imported in 1999 was 25,809. In 2000 that number increased to 30,803 and by 2001 that figure increased again to 34,528
Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has been constantly monitoring the supply and importation of eggs in order to prevent possible shortages.