Egg and Poultry Production and Consumption in Kuwait

Agricultural expert Mohammed Al-Fraih confirmed that annual production by egg-producing companies in Kuwait reaches one billion eggs per year, with these quantities being consumed due to their popularity among citizens and residents over other types of eggs.n\nAl-Fraih added to Al-Qabas: Kuwaiti eggs are of higher quality and superior to other types of eggs, and the quantities produced are sold and distributed quickly; they are not stored for long periods due to the lack of storage facilities at some entities.\n\nRegarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local egg market, Al-Fraih explained that there has been no significant impact, except for a limited effect on consumption, particularly due to people leaving the country. He noted that consumption is generally normal, hinting that Kuwaiti eggs were in demand in other markets in neighboring Gulf countries and Iraq.\n\nHe added: Local producers had allocated farms for egg exports due to high demand prior to the COVID-19 crisis, in addition to supplying local markets. He explained that Gulf countries have recently resorted to importing eggs from Turkey, Hungary, and Ukraine for various reasons, adding: Kuwait is among the top countries in chicken consumption, with a per capita share of 45 kilograms, or 160,000 tons of frozen and fresh chicken, based on an estimated population of 4 million people.\n\nHe noted that annual chicken production reaches 35 million chickens, at rates ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 chickens per day, distributed throughout the year.\n\nRegarding the reasons for the increase in consumption, Al-Fraih explained that the most significant factor relates to the fact that consumers in the country do not eat pork, unlike in other countries, in addition to the lack of demand for beef, as well as the limited quantities of fish available in the markets and the demand for lamb.n\nAl-Farih pointed out the possibility of meeting broiler chicken production needs through a specific state policy, which began some time ago with the distribution of 100 farms in El-Shakaya, 20 of which have been allocated to one company so far, while 80 farms will be distributed later, emphasizing the importance of allocating 10 farms to each producing company to ensure production requirements are met.\n\nHe noted that chickens weighing between one and two kilograms or more are preferred over those weighing less than one kilogram.