The South African Poultry Association (Sapa) on Monday promoted eggs as critical weapon against child malnutrition on the back of rising prices and economic pressures for consumers.
In an effort to bolster local egg consumption and address nutritional deficits, Dr Monique Piderit, a consulting dietitian to Sapa’s Egg Organisation, said eggs played a vital role as a versatile, cost-effective source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients.
“Eggs are an affordable, nutrient-rich food that can support the healthy growth and cognitive development of children. Given their potential to combat stunting, promoting egg consumption should be a priority,” Piderit said in a statement.
Stunting remains a major concern in South Africa, with almost 27% of children at risk, or one-in-three —a statistic that mirrors global data indicating nearly 150 million stunted children worldwide. Stunting is linked to a host of issues, including poor academic performance and an increased risk of chronic illnesses later in life.
Sapa’s statement came hot on the heels of the latest findings of the Economic Impact of Child Poverty Study conducted by Deloitte and released by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, coinciding with National Children’s Day.
Child poverty is not just a moral issue; it bears a steep economic cost for South Africa, amounting to nearly R700 billion each year, it said.
Piderit said international studies showcase the power of eggs to mitigate these issues. For instance, research in Ecuador revealed that children who consumed one egg daily had a 47% reduced risk of stunting and were 74% less likely to be underweight.
Egg costs remain elevated
Anthony Clark, an independent analyst at Small Talk Daily, in an investor note on Monday gave insight into the economic dynamics of the egg industry.
“Eggs are the fourth-largest animal protein sector in South Africa, contributing approximately R14.5 billion in gross agricultural value,” Clark said. At the retail level, the industry’s value is as much as R26bn.
However, egg prices have seen notable increases.
According to Sapa’s most recent pricing data, a dozen mixed eggs currently retails at R27.11, a steep rise from R17.73 in 2022 following the avian influenza outbreak, and almost double the R14.72 price in 2020. The increase in prices has been driven largely by supply constraints and rising input costs, particularly due to disease outbreaks and higher feed prices.
Clark noted that eggs remained zero-rated for VAT in South Africa.
Last month the Competition Commission published the September Essential Food Price Monitoring Report, which tracks essential food prices throughout the value chains of selected essential food items.
It found that food security in South Africa remained a serious risk for consumers as price levels remained high relative to consumer income, although both headline inflation and food inflation have eased.
The Commission said that producer prices for eggs remained elevated in 2024 but fell slightly from their peak of R17.07 in November 2023 at the height of the Avian influenza outbreak, to R14.55 in March 2024.
However, it said retail prices did not fall to the same extent resulting in the spread widening from 20% to 23% over the same period, and producer prices for eggs have started increasing again and reached R15.27 in June 2024.
Nutritional impact of eggs
Sapa’s ongoing advocacy aligns with the findings of global research underscoring the nutritional impact of eggs. In Ethiopia, families provided with egg-laying hens over six months saw their children become 42% less likely to be stunted and 54% less prone to being underweight. Similar findings were reported in India, where low egg consumption was linked to a two-fold increase in stunting risk.
To sustain growth and address nutritional gaps, Sapa and its partners are advocating for the Global Egg Campaign, which promotes the concept of consuming one egg per person daily.
“As part of the Egg Division of Sapa and in collaboration with the International Egg Commission, we fully support this initiative,” said Piderit. “Eggs are a simple, yet powerful food solution, particularly in countries grappling with high rates of poverty and malnutrition.”
With these combined efforts, Sapa hopes to enhance both public awareness and accessibility to eggs, positioning them as a cornerstone of dietary health and a key player in the fight against childhood malnutrition.