China’s poultry is at a virtual standstill amid the Coronavirus lockdown disrupting what they had hoped would be a productive year.
The industry expanded by 12 percent last year as farmers tried to pick up the slack from the nation’s pork shortage caused by African Swine Fever. Half of China’s poultry is raised by individual farmers rather than integrated operations.
Reuters reports the travel restrictions and also labor shortages have crippled the industry and also slashed prices.
Day-old chicks near the beginning of the supply chain normally cost about 97 cents each, the prices lately have dropped as low as 20 cents.
Furthermore, some farmers have said there are backups at Chinese slaughterhouses.