#PODCAST Local poultry farmers expect an increase in prices following a "devastating" avian flu outbreak #sabcnews

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Poultry producers are warning consumers to expect an increase in the price of chicken products ahead of the festive season. This as the country is hit by what is being described by poultry farmers as the as the biggest outbreak of avian or bird flu in South Africa. The highly infective avian influenza was first recorded in the Western Cape, in April this year. The flu has since spread to KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and has been detected in Gauteng and Limpopo. Egg producer, Quantum Foods Holdings Ltd, issued a statement on Friday saying outbreak has affected approximately one-point-five million of the company's layer and breeding stock. General Manager at SA Poultry Association - Egg Division, Dr Abongile Balarane says the outbreak is putting the industry under severe strain, which is bound to have a ripple-effect on consumers...