Kuwait city: Several poultry and egg production companies have demanded support from the government so that they can avoid losses and possible closures because of the sudden drop in the prices of egg despite the high costs of feed, and even the state ban the export of eggs.
They explained that Kuwait produces nearly two million eggs, and as per the studies, it is also found that there is a 30 percent surplus of eggs. The companies thus sell one carton of 360 eggs at a price of KD 8. However, the official price set by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is KD 12.6.
According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Mubarakiya Poultry Company‘ Tawfiq Al-Saleh,” the sudden increment in the prices of feed and the state ban on poultry companies from exporting their products of chicken and eggs are two main essential factors in the movement of several companies to close, as they incurred heavy losses during the last stage.
Furthermore, he revealed that there were two companies that already faced closure after their inability to bear losses and the state’s ignorance of our demands to support fodder and open the door for the exports, especially since we have a surplus that helps us to cover the local market.
According to Al-Saleh, the process of fodder increased from $270 to $870 per ton. Is it not possible o make a profit after following this rise and the stability of the price of one kilogram of live chicken at only 850 fills in Kuwait?
Further, Al-Saleh warned that the state is right now neglecting this important sector, and this is affecting the entire country and the country’s food security, especially as we are going through a volatile regional situation that makes countries interested in local production.
He demanded support for the local production of eggs.
As per Al-Saleh, “During the bird flu crisis, the state-supported importing eggs at a rate of KD 1 per carton, a rise in the feed prices accompanied the return of normalcy in the local production of eggs. So why did the state not support local production, as it supported the import of eggs during that period? We do not want double standards”.