July 21, 2020

Ethiopian poultry farmers destroy thousands of chicks due to low demand

Poultry farmers in Ethiopia have been forced to destroy hundreds of thousands of chicks because of COVID-19 related low demand in Ethiopia's hospitality sector, Reuters reported.

Ethiopia's hotel industry represented the biggest source for poultry products in the country. But COVID-19 movement restrictions have led to hotels reducing operations or shutting down.

There is no government data, but one of the biggest poultry suppliers in the country, EthioChicken said it was forced to kill 650,000 chicks in five weeks between May and June. The company expected millions of chicks have been destroyed across the country.

Fseha Tesfu, EthioChicken marketing representative said they had to remove eggs from the hatchery to be destroyed.

Meba Gabriel Estifanos, a veterinarian and small farm owner in the capital Addis Ababa said the poultry sector provided employment opportunities across age groups, from youth to women. But because the supply chain is unsettled as day-old chicks are being destroyed, people have been unable to work.

Ethiopia has 9,503 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 167 deaths.

-      Reuters