Yakutsk Faces Local Egg Shortage Ahead of Easter

Easter egg shortage hits Yakutsk as poultry farm culls hens early

YAKUTIA.INFO. Readers have reported shortages of locally produced eggs at outlets of the Yakutsk Poultry Farm, prompting speculation about a possible pasteurellosis outbreak. A Yakutia.Info correspondent investigated the situation.

At one of the city's major retail chains, shoppers noticed a lack of eggs from the Yakutsk Poultry Farm (YPF). When asked about the reason, a store employee claimed that the farm had culled its laying hens due to the risk of pasteurellosis.

However, the pasteurellosis hotline told Yakutia.Info that no reports of the disease at YPF had been received. "All farms have been advised to take preventive measures against pasteurellosis," officials clarified.

YPF itself denied any connection to the disease. "No hens have been culled. The farm is operating normally, and there has been no reduction in supply to retail outlets. Routine procedures are underway, but they are unrelated to pasteurellosis," the company stated in a comment.

So what is causing the shortage? Local entrepreneur Olga Nikolayeva, who sells YPF products in her stores, provided clarity. It turns out the farm is currently conducting its annual culling of spent hens—a standard practice when their productivity declines. As a result, retailers have had to stock eggs imported from other regions.

"Eggs from outside Yakutia already have a shorter shelf life—at least a month less, factoring in processing and delivery times. Wholesale prices start at 160 rubles per ten eggs, which is very expensive. Quality is also affected by transport conditions and temperature control during shipment. YPF's eggs, on the other hand, retail for 143 rubles per ten, with faster and more reliable delivery," Nikolayeva explained.

In short, local eggs are both cheaper and fresher. But what can be done?

"We've repeatedly asked to postpone the cull by a month. First, the river crossing [a key transport route] will soon close for the season, and second, Easter is just around the corner. It would make sense to start the cull on April 15 instead," the entrepreneur urged.