Global Challenges for The Poultry and Egg Sector and Sustainability

Introduction

The poultry and egg sector is a key player in global nutrition and food security. From 2012 to 2022, the availability of broiler meat increased by 3.7 kg and eggs by 41 per person worldwide. This sector recorded the fastest growth of all land animal productions: chicken meat increased by 31.1% and eggs by 29.8%. By 2050, the world will have to feed an additional one billion people, mainly in Africa and Asia, with meat consumption, especially poultry, expected to increase by 73%. However, this must be achieved with only a 5% increase in arable land available.

Consumers and Sustainability 

According to the United Nations definition, sustainability means meeting current needs without compromising future generations. For the poultry and egg sector, sustainability encompasses social, economic and environmental pillars. Younger consumers, especially Generation Z and millennials, who will make up 52% of the world’s population by 2027, place great importance on sustainability when choosing their food. A 2020 survey found that 44% of consumers are purpose-driven, with 57% willing to change their buying habits for environmental benefits and 70% willing to pay a premium for sustainable brands.

Economic Sustainability 

Economic sustainability in the poultry and egg sector means striking a balance between price and profit while providing affordable food. Poultry feeds, which accounts for 65-75% of production costs, are an important focus. Strategies include optimizing gut health through feed formulations containing probiotics, prebiotics and enzymes to improve feed conversion. Enzymes not only improve nutritional value, but also reduce oxidative stress and intestinal inflammation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant potential by using data to better manage birds, optimize production and connect farms with processing plants. AI can predict broiler performance and optimize processing schedules to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Intelligent automation in meat processing that combines robotics and AI can further reduce production costs by improving operational efficiency.

Environmental Sustainability 

Environmental sustainability addresses the sector’s impact on the planet and focuses on reducing emissions and improving resource utilization. Poultry feeds are a major source of emissions, with the production and transportation of grains making a significant contribution. Strategies to reduce these emissions include selecting feed ingredients from regions with minimal deforestation and improving feed efficiency through better health and genetics. Manure management also plays an important role and various techniques allow to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during storage and application.

Housing systems have an impact on environmental sustainability. Cage-free housing systems increase CO2 emissions by 15-18% per kilogram of eggs produced. Net Zero Energy (NZE) buildings, which produce as much energy as they consume, can significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions. Innovations in waste management, e.g. the production of valuable products from waste materials, also contribute to sustainability.

Social Sustainability 

Social sustainability includes worker health and safety, animal welfare, food safety and food security. Worker health can be affected by housing systems; cage-free systems, for example, increase particulate matter in the air, which affects both workers and birds. Enzymes in feed can reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality. New technologies assist in monitoring and safeguarding bird welfare, including robots improving litter quality, video cameras detecting abnormal behaviors, and RFID devices tracking bird movement. Adopting Poultry 4.0 with AI technologies enhances profitability and demonstrates a commitment to bird welfare.

Avian influenza remains a major challenge and the massive culling of birds is not sustainable. In some regions, vaccination is being considered as a more ethical and effective control method. Ensuring food safety is crucial, with bacteriophages showing promise as a means of combating bacterial infections without contributing to antibiotic resistance.

The Role of Continuing Education

Acquiring the latest knowledge on management practices, feed formulations, housing design and disease prevention is crucial for sustainability. Training offered by organizations such as the World Veterinary Education in Animal Production Health (WVEPAH) provides professionals with up-to-date skills and knowledge. Artificial intelligence can further augment their ability to optimize the health and welfare of animals, enhancing the sector’s capacity to achieve sustainability goals, ensure food security, and improve economic and environmental outcomes.

Conclusion

The poultry and egg sector faces numerous challenges, but also great opportunities arising from consumer demand for sustainable products. Economic and environmental sustainability can be achieved through innovative practices and technologies, including AI and intelligent automation. Social sustainability requires the protection of workers and animals in addition to food safety. Education and training are essential to equip professionals with the necessary skills to drive sustainable practices in the industry.