Avian Influenza Outbreak in Skåne Sparks Fresh Swedish Chicken Shortage

An outbreak of avian influenza has struck six commercial poultry facilities in Skåne this winter, including four breeding farms, resulting in significant losses of hens and hatching eggs. This has caused a looming shortage of fresh Swedish chicken, signaling tangible impacts for consumers in stores across the country.

Poultry producers are grappling with the crisis amid challenging conditions. The loss of breeding stock and critical hatching eggs threatens the ability to sustain chicken production levels. While importing hatching eggs is considered a potential solution, producers face regulatory obstacles and the considerable risk of incurring high costs related to potential salmonella outbreaks. Unlike pig, cattle, and egg producers, poultry farmers do not receive any government compensation when outbreaks occur, adding to their financial strain.

Katharina Gielen, head of infection control at the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket), confirmed that the avian influenza’s consequences extend beyond farmers, affecting consumers through noticeable shortages of fresh Swedish chicken in retail stores. The outbreak coincides with broader meat supply challenges already reported, particularly a shortage of online meat products such as ground beef.

The poultry industry's predicament underscores systemic gaps in support and regulatory frameworks for avian influenza-affected producers. With six commercial facilities affected and four key breeding establishments impacted, the fresh chicken supply chain faces significant disruption. Consumers are likely to feel the shortage’s effects as the fallout from the outbreak continues during winter.

This development emphasizes the critical need for coordinated responses to avian influenza outbreaks to stabilize both farm operations and consumer availability in Sweden’s poultry sector.