Early bird flu outbreaks threaten Europe’s poultry supply chain

The summer season generally has a favorable effect on the number of avian influenza (bird flu) infections at commercial farms. This year was no exception. However, now that autumn has arrived, the virus has returned faster than expected. In recent weeks, there have already been a considerable number of new infections at poultry farms across Northwestern Europe. What is the current situation, and could this once again impact the poultry meat and egg markets?Germany, in particular, reported many new infections last week, according to data from the European Commission’s Animal Health Monitoring System (12 infections during the week of October 23–29). The affected farms mainly kept laying hens and turkeys. The fact that 12 of this year’s 49 total infections occurred in just one week highlights the seriousness of the situIn the Netherlands, three farms were affected by bird flu in October. Early in the month, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) reported an outbreak at a farm with over 70,000 broiler breeders in Drenthe. In recent weeks, there were further infections at a farm with 160,000 rearing laying hens in Dodewaard and a farm with 5,000 pheasants in Toldijk.In the Netherlands, three farms were affected by bird flu in October. Early in the month, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) reported an outbreak at a farm with over 70,000 broiler breeders in Drenthe. In recent weeks, there were further infections at a farm with 160,000 rearing laying hens in Dodewaard and a farm with 5,000 pheasants in Toldijk.In the Netherlands, three farms were affected by bird flu in October. Early in the month, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) reported an outbreak at a farm with over 70,000 broiler breeders in the norther part of the country. In recent weeks, there were further infections at a farm with 160,000 rearing laying hens in Dodewaard and a farm with 5,000 pheasants in Toldijk.Infections early in the supply chainOutbreaks at farms located at the start of the production chain impact the entire production system for an extended period. The supply of hatching eggs in Europe has already been tight throughout the year, with Eastern European countries showing strong demand for the available stock. New infections at broiler breeder and rearing farms could further restrict supply for a longer time. Because market prices for broilers are currently very favorable, demand remains high as well. The growing concentration of production among fewer farms has increased the sector’s vulnerability to crises. If, for example, a handful of farms are forced to halt production due to bird flu, this would immediately have a significant impact on the production capacity of the broiler supply chain.