The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) in Negros Occidental has assured sufficient supply of eggs and stable prices in the wake of reports of possible shortage amid the continued threat posed by bird flu.

Dr. Placeda Lemana, officer-in-charge of the PVO, said on Monday that major poultry growers and layers in the province have declared that their production alone can meet the local demand for eggs.

“These major players produce 950,000 to 1 million pieces in a day. Consumers in Negros Occidental and Bacolod also require the same volume of eggs each day,” Lemana said over the provincial capitol’s Radyo Negrense.

She added that vis-à-vis the province’s total population, the local demand for eggs reaches about 850,000 pieces daily.

Lemana noted that PVO’s weekly prevailing market price monitoring shows minimal increase in the prices of eggs.

“We have seen that for eggs, the price increase is not significant. Even the price of salted eggs has decreased this week as shown in our report today, August 1,” she said.

Citing PVO records, Lemana said an extra-large egg is priced at an average of PHP9.50, large is at PHP8.80, and small is sold at PHP7 each.

The PVO chief said poultry industry players here export their produce to neighboring Negros Oriental and Panay while those from the same areas also bring in their produce to Negros Occidental.

However, organized layers have committed to not export eggs in case the province will experience tight supply, Lemana said.

Negros Occidental is currently enforcing a ban on the entry of live birds and poultry products from areas with reported bird flu cases.

Banned are domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, semen, and manure.

“Eggs are among those that can bring bird flu to the province. We are just protecting our PHP8-billion poultry,” Lemana added. (PNA)