Government Takes Action to Expand Egg Production Ahead of 2027 Regulations

The government is taking steps to support the construction of barns and ease regulations in anticipation of expanded minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens set to take effect in 2027. This initiative aims to prevent egg supply shortages and stabilize prices.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on August 17 that it will recruit preliminary project participants to support the costs of building and expanding facilities for egg-laying hens, facilitating the transition to improved density standards (from 0.05 square meters per bird to 0.075 square meters).

Starting in September 2027, farms currently adhering to the 0.05 square meter standard will need to either expand their facilities or reduce their flock sizes. To mitigate concerns about potential supply reductions, the government plans to proactively secure production capacity by subsidizing construction and expansion costs.

Applications for the program will be accepted through local governments until August 31. The government will evaluate applicants based on their ability to obtain necessary permits and complete projects within the year. Farms that do not currently raise hens but have secured building permits will also be eligible for support. Once the budget for next year is approved by the National Assembly, preliminary participants will be confirmed as project beneficiaries.

Additionally, the government is working to rationalize livestock farming restrictions that currently affect 87.2% of the land area across the country. Approximately 94.4% of existing layer farms fall within these restricted zones, significantly limiting their ability to build or expand facilities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment maintain that expanding and improving facilities for layer farms is necessary, provided it does not increase environmental pollution. They are convening a task force to advocate for local governments to amend ordinances related to layer density improvements.

Lee Jae-sik, Director of Livestock Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated, "We will take various necessary measures to meet diverse policy demands, including food safety, animal welfare, stable supply of livestock products, and reduction of environmental burdens, while continuing to collaborate with relevant departments."