If you’ve been to the supermarket in the past few weeks, you may have come across a few empty egg shelves. But according to two industry officials to the Observer there is no cause for alarm: stocks may take longer to replenishdue to the rise in cereal prices and, above all, bird flu in Europe, but there will be no shortage of eggs for Christmasthey assure.
Alfredo Martins, general director of Zêzerovo, tells the Observer that the company’s production remains practically the same as last year, what has changed is the ability to accumulate stock. “In the summer months, July and August, consumption tends to drop and we had some stock, which helped at Christmas when demand increases,” he comments. But this year, the avian flu in some European countries and the increase in the prices of cereals used to feed the animals caused a reduction in production. And that affected stocks. “Today we work with the egg of the day, fresh”he says.
Portugal, says the official, has no cases of bird flu in egg production???????? But “by drag” the effects reach Portugal “when there is a need to buy eggs or for lack of some kind”. “Today we have to depend on the national production of eggs.”
But does that mean there will be a shortage of eggs on the shelves? The manager says no. What can happen is that stocks take a little longer to replenish. “Maybe the safety level before was four days and now it’s two or one day. In our case, given what is expected at this time of year, the response is not as effective”. But: “There will be no shortage of eggs, there will be eggs. We will not find empty shelves”.ensures.
Gonçalo Lobo Xavier, general director of the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (APED), also highlights that “there is no problem with the supply” of eggs. The official admits that in some cases there may be a “break”, but says that it is temporary and normal at this time of year, due to the greater demand for Christmas walks.
“It is normal in one or another store that one or another product is replaced more slowly. There is no shortage of stock, there has been a higher demand, which is natural at this time of year. There was a delay here and there in the replacement ”, he advances. The avian flu puts “greater pressure”, but even so, Lobo Xavier assures that “there is no alarm signal”.
Source: Observadora
