IN EGYPT CHICKEN PRICES PLUNGE, FISH PRICES SURGE

MILLIONS OF JOBS THREATENED BY COLLAPSE OF CHICKEN INDUSTRY

CHICKEN SUPPLIED 50% OF ALL EGYPTIANS ANIMAL PROTEIN INTAKE

Bird flu spreads rapidly, in only four days, through wild bird and poultry across Egypt.

Widespread panic reported. Egyptian government attempts to calm farmers and consumers failing.

Egyptian newspapers are reporting suspected human infections, but officials claim all tests on possible human cases of avian influenza have proved negative.

Demand for fresh chicken and poultry products has collapsed across Egypt, a market worth some $US3 milion per year, providing full-or-part-time employment to over 2.5 million people.

Chicken prices per kilo have plunged by two thirds. The smaller poultry merchants have closed their businesses and a major supermarket chain has removed all chicken meat from its shelves.

The price of fish has risen 40%, but demand is already outstripping supply.

The Egyptian government has demanded all chickens kept in backyards or on rooftops be removed, but few have complied thus far.

Around the world, poultry products account for some 20% of all the animal protein consumed by humans. Due to the high prices of red meat and fish, chicken supplies 50% of the animal protein consumed by most Egyptians. Primarily, it is the main source of protein for the poor across Egypt.