Guyana working to increase egg production as US hit with bird flu

Guyana is working towards self-sufficiency in hatching egg production as the global food supply faces disruptions due to bird flu.
According to President Dr Irfaan Ali, this measure aims to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen local poultry farming to ensure a stable supply of eggs and poultry products.
In the past six months, the world has faced significant challenges in food production due to environmental changes, resource constraints, and increasing global demand. One of the most heavily impacted sectors is poultry, a critical industry in Guyana.
With soaring demand for poultry products, including hatching eggs, table eggs, and broiler meat, the Government is ramping up efforts to ensure food security and mitigate risks posed by the global bird flu outbreak.
During a live broadcast on Thursday, President Ali disclosed that Guyana imports over 52 million hatching eggs annually, with demand expected to rise.
He explained that as the United States (US) struggles to meet its own demand, Guyana risks significant disruptions in supply.
“Almost all of that hatching eggs come from the US. Now, most of the hatching eggs, if not all, comes from Georgia, Miami area. Those are areas not affected as yet by the bird flu. But we have massive problems in the rest of the US, where some estimates put production of hatching egg down by 40 per cent. We have had instances where the entire production system had to be removed so that they can mitigate against the widespread of the bird flu,” the Guyanese leader explained.
Beyond hatching eggs, global meat production has also taken a severe hit, with estimates suggesting a 33 per cent decline. The US and Brazil dominate the global poultry market, and while Brazil remains unaffected, the Guyanese Leader explained that any outbreak there would trigger a catastrophic supply chain crisis.
This looming threat, the President noted underscores the urgent need for Guyana to develop self-sufficiency in poultry production.
“If Brazil gets affected, then we will have major disruption in the global poultry market and we have to plan against this. We have to plan and mitigate against these circumstances. Fortunately for us, our annual table eggs, which is about 5.5 million eggs annually, we have been able to produce that more or less locally”.
“We never produce hatching eggs in Guyana. Last year, however, we were able to produce 1 million hatching eggs in a pilot programme. And we are looking to see how within three years, in about three to four years, we can be self-sufficient in the production of hatching eggs,” the Head of State disclosed.
President Ali believes that investments funneled into the private sector to expand local hatching egg production will reduce Guyana’s dependency on foreign suppliers.
“This year, we’ll have heavy investment and support to the private sector consortium in building out the industry so that we can increase more of the hatching eggs that we produce locally. So, the Ministry of Agriculture is having what we call an actionable task force that is tasked with liaising with the World Animal Health Organisation and the US,” he added.
The Guyanese Leader shared that enhanced monitoring of ports of entry and at-risk border areas has been implemented, with advanced technology such as drones being deployed for surveillance. Additionally, Guyana has joined the global information-sharing network to ensure proactive and aggressive measures are taken against any threats.
Beyond national borders, he stated that the Government is working closely with Brazil to safeguard its poultry industry, recognising the devastating consequences an outbreak there could have on the global and local supply chains.
With robust planning and strategic investments, Guyana is determined to insulate its poultry sector from external shocks, ensuring stable production and price control in the face of mounting global uncertainty.