Cost of chicken to rise soon, even if bird flu doesn't spread

Chicken prices are expected to increase in the coming months, even if the H5 bird flu does not spread to commercial farms. The poultry industry is grappling with rising feed and labour costs, as well as heightened pressure from the ongoing war in the Middle East. Companies and farmers are implementing stringent surveillance and biosecurity measures to prevent the virus from entering the food chain.

Although the H5N1 bird flu has only affected wildlife in Australia so far, there are concerns about potential chicken supply shortages and price hikes if the virus infiltrates commercial flocks. Ingham's Group, which supplies 40 per cent of the nation's chicken meat to major supermarkets, fast food outlets, and the wholesale market, is particularly concerned.

Ingham's CEO, Edward Alexander, warned that bird flu poses a "real and significant risk" for the poultry industry and that prices would rise regardless of the virus's spread due to increasing costs. The industry has been severely impacted globally by this strain of bird flu, with farmers often forced to destroy entire flocks once a single bird contracts the virus.

Ingham's has taken extensive measures to prepare for a potential outbreak, including sending executives to Europe to help other growers prepare and diversifying its operations across six states. However, egg farmers are more vulnerable to bird flu outbreaks due to the age of their birds and less stringent biosecurity measures. Despite the challenges, chicken consumption continues to grow, with the Australian Chicken Meat Federation reporting that chickens contribute $8 billion in retail value to the economy and are consumed by 53.9 kilograms per person annually.

The federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is holding regular industry briefings to keep the sector informed about bird flu detections in wildlife.