Indonesia eyes US market amid egg production surplus

Antara, Philippine News Agency

The US is reported to be experiencing a high production deficit that has driven up egg prices to USD4.11, he noted. (Pexels Photo)

JAKARTA – With egg production surging to a surplus of 288.7 thousand tons, or approximately 5 billion eggs per month, Indonesia is setting its sights on the United States as a potential export destination.

The Agriculture Ministry announced its readiness to support the monthly export of 1.6 million chicken eggs to the US, where egg prices have spiked due to a supply shortfall caused by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak.

With the excess production, Indonesia has great potential to supply eggs to countries that are experiencing production disruptions due to the HPAI outbreak, including the US, according to the ministry’s director general of animal husbandry and animal health, Agung Suganda.

The US is reported to be experiencing a high production deficit that has driven up egg prices to USD4.11, he noted.

Suganda noted that Indonesia’s initial export target of 1.6 million eggs per month is feasible, as authorities are working to fulfill the export protocols required by US regulators.

Having previously exported eggs to Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia plans to comply with the strict food safety standards set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Eggs to be exported must be of high quality, free of Salmonella, and free of antibiotic residues in order to comply with food safety standards set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” he said.

Suganda also assured that the exports would not disrupt domestic needs, which remain a priority of the government.

“Exports will be conducted without disrupting supply and price stability in the domestic market,” Suganda added.

This year, national egg production is estimated to reach 6.5 million tons, against the need of 6.2 million tons. That leaves a potential surplus of 288.7 thousand tons.

This figure could still potentially be increased as the government is supporting the businesses in meeting export standards, starting from quality and safety to product traceability.

“We are ready to work with various parties so this egg export runs smoothly and provides benefits for farmers, business actors, and the national economy,” he affirmed.

Earlier, general chairperson of the Indonesian Poultry Breeding Association (GPPU), Ahmad Dawami, expressed his full support for the plan to export eggs to the US.

The national production capacity allows for exports of up to 160 million eggs per month, without disrupting domestic needs, he said.

Concurring with Suganda, he noted that exporting eggs to countries hit by “eggflation” like the US would not be easy because a number of requirements would need to be met for sending domestic eggs to the foreign market.

“Indeed, if you look at the opportunities, there are definitely opportunities for export. But exporting is not that easy considering the strict requirements,” he added. (Antara)