Egg producers in Albania are experiencing a positive situation due to the increase in demand for this product in Europe.

In January 2023, egg exports have tripled in quantity compared to January 2022, reaching 217 thousand kg. In terms of value, exports increased fivefold, due to the higher price, reaching almost 53 million ALL.

In the last 10 years, according to customs data, this is the highest amount of egg export for the period of the month of January. The increase in exports has started since December 2022. Compared to the same period in 2021, exports are 24 times higher.

The reason for the increase in exports is the lack of eggs in the European and US markets. Bird flu outbreaks in the US and Europe have hampered supplies since December last year.

For the month of January 2023, according to customs data, exports were carried out by 4 manufacturing companies. One of the companies "Morning Egg" told Monitor that it is currently exporting eggs for the food industry in Croatia and Greece, as well as for consumption in Serbia. Company representatives said that the increase in exports was due to the lack of eggs in these markets.

For the month of January 2023, exports in value increased 5 times more than the same period last year according to Customs data. Market operators claimed that compared to previous years, exports are at a higher price, which enables them to offset the high costs from VAT and for the first time increase profits.

But the increase in the price of eggs for export has brought a slight increase in the price in the domestic market as well. The companies say that the maximum price of chicken eggs has reached 19 Lek per grain from 17.5 to 18 Lek that was sold before.

In the retail market, the open egg is being traded at 24 ALL from 23 ALL. Before the grain growth wave due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the wholesale price of eggs from livestock farms was 13 ALL per grain, while in the retail market 16 ALL per grain.

The increase in the price of eggs in March in Albania was also affected by the lack of the product due to the death of birds from avian influenza. Experts estimated that 500,000 chickens died in the country. Farm production before the virus was 1,350,000 eggs/day. The companies claimed that in that period production was reduced by 50% due to the death of birds.

Bird flu adds to shortages and raises egg prices in Europe and the US

For 2 months now, the egg carton is turning into a symbol of price inflation in the US and for some European countries. The reduction in supply has led to an increase in prices. The main cause of the egg shortage appears to be avian influenza, more formally referred to as avian pathogenic influenza (HPAI). As of January 23, 2023, the latest figures released by the US Department of Agriculture show that 58.1 million chickens have been affected by bird flu in 47 US states.

In late November 2022, the BBC described the current wave of bird flu as "the worst ever in Europe and the US".

The reduction in the supply of egg-laying birds has led to an increase in prices.

At the beginning of January in the USA, the highest price of eggs was recorded, reaching 5.3 USD from 1.93 USD/dozen that was in January 2022. The price was almost 2 times higher. For 3 days in the USA, the price of eggs has decreased by 50% compared to the beginning of January. The reason for the price drop is egg exports from Mexico, where in many cases they tried to smuggle them in.

In the EU, the countries most affected by price increases are Hungary (125.4%), Germany (106%) and the Netherlands (90.6%).

In addition to bird flu, the industry worldwide has been affected by rising production costs, including chicken feed, due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

(Source: Monitor)