SFA in contact with Thai authorities, engaging local importers amid Thai egg export cut
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Singapore’s supply of eggs is well diversified, with less than 15% of eggs coming from Thailand, said the Singapore Food Agency.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
- SFA is checking with Thai authorities and local importers after Thailand cut egg exports by up to 50% until December because floods killed many hens.
- Singapore says its egg supply is diversified, with imports from over 10 countries and less than 15% from Thailand, plus local egg production.
- SFA is monitoring the issue and warns food disruptions may happen, urging importers to diversify and consumers to stay flexible.
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SINGAPORE – Singapore has reached out to the Thai authorities for more details after Thailand announced that it would cut egg exports by up to 50% until December due to losses sustained during recent heavy floods.
In response to a media query, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said on Oct 7 that it is monitoring the developments and has engaged local importers.
Singapore’s supply of eggs is well-diversified, it said, adding that the country is able to obtain its eggs from other sources if needed.
The Republic imports eggs from more than 10 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Ukraine, with less than 15% of Singapore’s egg supply coming from Thailand, said SFA. It added that local egg production also provides an additional source of supply during disruptions.
A Thai commerce ministry official had said on Oct 6 that companies were asked to cut egg exports by 30% to 50% until December after heavy flooding killed a significant number of hens.
Jirawuth Suwanna-arj, deputy director-general of Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade, said some three million hens at egg farms in flood-hit areas of Chachoengsao province, about two hours east of the capital Bangkok, were killed.
Cold Storage Singapore – which operates Cold Storage, CS Fresh and Jasons Deli – told The Straits Times that it does not carry fresh eggs from Thailand.
The supermarket chain said it sources fresh eggs from a diversified network of suppliers in multiple countries. This ensures that any supply shortfall from a particular origin is mitigated and does not affect its ability to maintain a stable supply of fresh eggs in its supermarkets, it added.
A Sheng Siong spokesperson said in a media reply that it does not import eggs from Thailand and that its egg supply and prices “remain stable for now”. The supermarket chain operates 90 stores here, it said in a corporate report in July.
A spokesperson for FairPrice Group said in a media reply that it sources fresh eggs from suppliers in multiple markets, including local farms, and is working with them to monitor the situation.
“We are also exploring alternative sourcing options to ensure continuity of supply,” the spokesperson added.
SFA said that global food supplies will continue to face uncertainties and food supply disruptions may occur from time to time.
“While the Government will do what we can to minimise the impact, we will not be able to completely mitigate disruptions to our food supply,” it said.
It added that the food industry is encouraged to diversify and import from various sources, and consumers are urged to be flexible and adaptable in their food choices in the event of any disruptions.
The Straits Times has contacted Giant and Prime for comment on whether their egg supplies have been affected.