Egg Crisis in Japan Due to Avian Influenza

Egg prices in Japan have soared due to the outbreak of avian influenza, with authorities culling a record number of birds totaling 16 million, negatively impacting the restaurant sector and families struggling with inflation. The Japanese news agency 'Kyodo' reported that the Ministry of Agriculture stated that laying hens account for up to 90% of the culled birds, which has reduced egg supplies and caused prices to rise. The avian influenza virus has spread at an unprecedented rate since the start of the season in October, with 80 cases discovered on poultry farms in 26 of the country's 47 prefectures.