DA, egg producers move to save P19B/yr local egg industry from waning demand

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Egg Board (PEB) are moving to save the P19-billion egg industry reeling from the continued low demand of eggs and egg products.

The PEB and the DA recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOA) that outlines measures and strategies to boost local egg consumption that would be adequate to sustain the industry and allow it to be profitable.

The MOA coincided with the pre-launch pad for the fourth Philippine Egg Show at the SM Megamall from Feb. 11 to 13, 2005 with the theme "Love that Egg."

Agriculture Undersecretary Cesar Drilon signed the MOA with representatives of the Livestock Development Council (LDC), the National Nutrition Council, the Philippine Information Agency, Robina Farms, Bounty Farms, Great Wall Farms and the DA’s Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service.

PEB chairman Gregorio San Diego said the country’s per capita consumption of eggs is very low at 52 compared to Japan’s 200, Thailand’s 151, Malaysia’s 242 and even Indonesia’s 62.

He blamed the poor consumption on continuing misconceptions that eating eggs daily could be harmful to health because of the eggs’ cholesterol content. As a result, the industry is selling at a loss due to low consumption, high cost of feeds, poultry diseases and other drawbacks. Cost of production per egg is P3.10 to P3.20 but the farmgate price is less than P3. Retailers sell eggs at P4 to P4.50 a piece.

Egg producers are proposing the sale of eggs by the kilo to standardize weight and prices, planning to sell eggs at P70 per kilo.

Drilon, however, cited studies made by the LDC and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute that consumption of an egg a day is safe and beneficial provided that the cholesterol produced by the body and that supplied by other foods is taken into account.

Studies show that a single egg supplies 29 percent to 50 percent of the daily protein requirement of children and 21 percent to 24 percent of that of adults. It also provides healthy doses of vitamins A, B6, B12, D, E, K, thiamine, niacin and riboflavin. These nutrients firm up muscles, keeps skin healthy, makes blood red, maintains good eyesight and provides energy.

Moreover, there are already several local egg producers that have introduced into the market healthier eggs such as Omega-Egg produced by Great Wall Poultry and Farm, which distributes to selected supermarkets its Omega-3 enriched eggs. Another company, Bounty Farms is producing organic-selenium fortified eggs which is effective in preventing cancer and other degenerative diseases.

On the question of freshness and safety, the PEB members said they are studying options on how to ensure that health and safety standards are being followed by its members.

Recent studies also show that regular consumption of eggs with did not raise the cholesterol levels of people with normal cholesterol levels.