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2120 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

2120 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

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THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEMS TO KEEP LAYING HENSsize. In 1990 there were 12,910 producers, of which just over 90% had a flock size of less than 100laying hens. The largest 90 producers with flocks of over 30,000 hens accounted for just under 40%of the national flock in 1990 compared to the 190 producers in this size category in 2000 whoaccounted for some 65% of the flock. The level of concentration by 2000 is even more striking sinceover 90% of the flock was held by 420 producers with more than 10,000 hens. Overall by 2000 thetotal number of producers with laying hens had fallen to 5,460 and the average number of laying hensheld increased from 9,605 in 1990 to 18,047 over the same period although if the average ofcommercial producers were taken the average is estimated to lie between 35,000 and 40,000 hens.By 2003 there were 4,507 holdings recorded as producing eggs for consumption. The largestindividual producer was estimated to hold 200,000 hens and there are an estimated 7-8 furtherproducers with a flock in excess of 100,000 hens. Three hatcheries control the bulk of pulletproduction. These are van der Berghe, van der Moonen and de Biest.100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%1 to 99 100 to 2999 3000 to 9999 10000-29999 over 29999Figure A1.3: Belgium, Evolution of share of total flock in holdings by flock sizecategories (no of laying hens) 1990-2000Source: DG Agri.1990 1995 1997 2000Most large scale producers tend to be specialist egg producers in that the egg enterprise is the mostsignificant economically and the sector estimates that while 30% of holdings are on mixed farms over85% of the flock is on specialised units. It is estimated that half the producers are private farmerswho will have a contract with a feed company to provide feed and take the eggs. The feed companywill then have a contact with the packers who will either buy on a fixed price contact for a year oron the spot price. Some 30% of producers are totally integrated and the remaining 20% are partiallyintegrated.117

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