Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUJA2238
2006-08-28 07:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

AVIAN FLU IN NIGERIA: POULTRY SECTOR IN KANO STATE

Tags:  TBIO KFLU AMED EAGR EAID NI AVIANFLU 
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VZCZCXRO2415
PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN
DE RUEHUJA #2238 2400724
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 280724Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6934
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RHFMISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 0020
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP/ASD-HD//
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
UNCLAS ABUJA 002238 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USDA FAS WASHDC FOR FAA/RANDY HAGER
USDA FOR APHIS/JOHN SHAW
USDA FOR WAYNE MOLSTAD/OSEC
USAID/W FOR AFR/WA ANGELA LOZANO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU AMED EAGR EAID NI AVIANFLU
SUBJECT: AVIAN FLU IN NIGERIA: POULTRY SECTOR IN KANO STATE

REF: ABUJA 1791

UNCLAS ABUJA 002238

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

USDA FAS WASHDC FOR FAA/RANDY HAGER
USDA FOR APHIS/JOHN SHAW
USDA FOR WAYNE MOLSTAD/OSEC
USAID/W FOR AFR/WA ANGELA LOZANO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU AMED EAGR EAID NI AVIANFLU
SUBJECT: AVIAN FLU IN NIGERIA: POULTRY SECTOR IN KANO STATE

REF: ABUJA 1791


1. Summary. Kano State is one of the leading markets for poultry in
northern Nigeria. In Kano, most poultry farms are small -- about
two thirds have no more than 5,000 birds, and only about 5% of
poultry farms in Kano State stock more than 50,000 birds. Kano
formerly could not meet locally the demand for eggs, and this
situation has worsened with the advent of the avian influzena (AI).
Middlemen travel to southwestern Nigeria every week to bring
approximately 90 to 120 tons of eggs to Kano. Given increased
outbreaks of AI in southwestern Nigeria and the heavy interstate
trade in poultry, Kano poultry farms will be at increasing risk for
more outbreaks. End summary.



2. Muhammad Aminu Adamu, chairman of the Kano State branch of the
Poultry Association of Nigeria, recently assessed the poultry sector
in Kano State, one of the leading poultry markets in northern
Nigeria. In Kano, most poultry farms are small -- about two thirds
have no more than 5,000 birds. In that state, about 5% of farms
have fewer than 50 birds (backyard flocks),about 15% have 50 to 500
birds, about 45% of farms have 500 to 5,000 birds, and roughly 30%
have 5,000 to 50,000 birds. Only about 5% of poultry farms in Kano
State stock more than 50,000 birds.


3. Local chicken breeds (roughly 65%) dominate the market, while
guinea fowl constitute about 25% and other types of birds roughly
10% of the sector. A "very large majority" of people in the area
consider broiler meat toQ tasteless and too soft, hence the lack
of a proper market for broiler meat. (Note: Industry figures told
the agricultural attache that the main factor affecting the
popularity of broiler meat was its pricQnot taste. End note.)


4. Kano is a large market for all types of poultry products,
including eggs. Producers do not have to seek buyers; rather,
buyers in Kano State have long sought out producers. Dealers or
middlemen buy from farms and sell to direct consumers (individuals,
corner shops, and supermarkets) and to processors for onward sales
to direct consumers. The latter group includes many sellers of tea,
and of sellers of fried yams and eggs, and of fried bean cakes.
These last two groups are the largest outlets for eggs in Kano.


5. Eggs are sold informally to the neighboring countries of Niger
and Chad. In normal times, eggs produced in Kano were not
sufficient to meet the demand; AI has worsened this situation. To
cover the gap, middlemen travel to southwestern Nigeria, including
Ibadan, every week to bring approximately 90 to 120 tons of eggs to
Kano.


6. All scale of farmers send their poultry and eggs to these
different types of markets. Egg dealers station their employees in
southwestern Nigeria. These buyers travel to all farms that have
eggs for sale and buy the eggs, then wait until they have collected
30 tons before sending a shipment north to Kano State. These
transactions operate year round and the tempo increases during the
harmattan (dry) season as well as during the Muslim fasting period.
They are least busy during April and May.


7. Comment: Given the increasing number of AI outbreaks in
southwestern Nigeria and the constant flow of live birds and poultry
products between Nigeria's states and regions, especially from the
hard-hit Southwest to Kano State, the chances of renewed outbreaks
in Kano State, as well as other parts of Nigeria, is high and
growing.