南アフリカは鳥インフルエンザで卵不足に

　子供たちのためにマフィンを作るのに、もう今まで通りのお値段では買えないわ―というか2個しか買えない？！という、日常レベルのお話を絡めつつ。

BBC South Africa egg shortage: How poultry products became a hot commodity 11 Oct 2023 By Nobuhle Simelane

「In an effort to stop the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - a deadly, extremely infectious type of bird flu - farmers have culled more than seven million egg-laying chickens. That amounts to 20-30% of the country's entire chicken stock, according to South African Poultry Association.」

　ざっと20～30％の鶏を処分せざるを得ず、この補いには6か月ほどかかる見込みという。まあ品不足になりますな。そして卵は栄養とお値段の優等生であってくれたわけで、この価格高騰によって、特に貧困ライン前後～以下の家庭の栄養に大変な影響がでそうである、というわけで―地味に国家的危機である。

「Eggs are currently South Africa's hottest commodity.

The country has been grappling with one of its worst outbreaks of bird flu - millions of chickens have been killed over the past few weeks, supplies of poultry meat have been threatened and supermarkets across the nation have run out of eggs.

Experts predict the egg shortage will cause the popular ingredient to jump in price - far from ideal considering it is one of the most affordable sources of protein for the millions living in poverty.」

「Retailers, farms and industry giants have also been hit, with the nation's largest chicken producer stating the flu had "ravaged" a sector already burdened by rising costs and an electricity crisis.」

「Farmers and industry experts estimate it will take six months for the poultry sector to replace the chickens it culled - meaning any shortage of poultry products could last through the festive season and into 2024.」

　なんにでも―というくらい、卵は便利に使われる。卒業・結婚シーズンでケーキの需要があるが、そもそも卵を多用しますわね。クッキー作るのでもどっちみちつかう―ということ―で―。

　―インフルエンザが流行りつつあると聞いて対策万全とした企業さんはホクホクだが、全体的には産業全体が壊滅的被害を被った―という評価の様子。