Global Avian Flu Outbreak Causes Egg Shortage

The recent shortage of eggs has become a hot topic. In the past month, not only Taiwan, but also the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Malaysia and Japan have all reported egg shortages. This problem began last year and is mainly due to the global avian flu outbreak. The avian flu virus is highly contagious and can spread quickly among poultry farms. As a result, many farms have had to cull their flocks in order to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading further. This has led to a significant decrease in egg production worldwide, causing prices to skyrocket and shortages to occur in many countries. In Taiwan, this shortage has been particularly severe due to its long history of poultry farming. For centuries, chickens have been kept for both meat and eggs in small backyard farms throughout the country. These small-scale operations are often unable to afford expensive vaccinations or biosecurity measures that could help protect them from disease outbreaks like avian flu. As a result, these farms are more vulnerable than larger commercial operations when it comes to diseases like avian flu – leading to even greater losses of egg production for Taiwan’s farmers. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution for this crisis as it will take time for egg production levels around the world to return back to normal levels following an outbreak of avian flu or other diseases that affect poultry farming operations. Until then, consumers will continue facing higher prices and shortages at grocery stores across the globe – including here in Taiwan – as we wait for supplies of eggs once again become plentiful enough for everyone’s needs.