YOUth should know: 5 things about Singapore’s eggs sources

Eggs, a popular pre-gym protein source when eaten raw and a staple cooking ingredient in Asian cuisine, now has Brunei as a new source of import. 

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced that it has accredited the country as a new source to export hen shell eggs to Singapore on Tuesday (Dec 13).

As you visit your nearest supermarket and pick up a tray of eggs, you might be curious about the conditions for accreditation for a new source and the reasons behind the need to diversify Singapore’s import sources.

Here are the five things you should know about eggs in Singapore:

There are three egg farms in Singapore – Seng Choon Farm, Chew’s Agriculture and N&N Agriculture.

These farms collectively produce 30 per cent of eggs consumed in Singapore.

Singapore will see the development of a fourth egg farm by 2024. SFA has said that it is to be equipped with a state-of-the-art productive and sustainable egg facility, which will further strengthen the resilience of Singapore’s local egg supply.

According to SFA, when fully operational, local egg farms will meet about 50 per cent of Singapore’s egg demand. It will contribute towards Singapore’s 30-by-30 goal to build the agri-food industry’s capability and capacity to sustainably produce 30 per cent of Singapore’s nutritional needs by 2030.

Imported eggs currently contribute to 70 per cent of Singapore’s total egg consumption, said SFA.

With the addition of Brunei, SFA shared that 17 countries and regions are accredited as a source of hen eggs. Some sources include Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Spain and Poland.

According to SFA, Singapore and Brunei share long-standing and close bilateral trade relations.

The signing of various Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in recent years underscores both countries’ commitment in deepening collaboration in food security.

The agency shared that accreditation of Brunei as a new country source for eggs is another step towards augmenting food cooperation between both countries as Brunei looks to produce eggs for export while Singapore diversifies its egg import sources further.

Factors such as climate change, disease outbreaks, and geopolitical tensions can disrupt food supplies. 

As a globally connected economy that imports more than 90 per cent of food, it is inevitable that Singapore encounters food disruptions from time to time. 

An example of an import source being affected is Malaysia’s chicken export ban on Jun 1, when SFA had worked closely with importers and distributors beyond Malaysia to maintain Singapore’s chicken supply.

While SFA continues to work with the industry to facilitate source diversification, consumers can also play their part by being open and flexible with their food choices and alternative brands or forms of food available.

SFA assesses the exporting country’s disease freedom status, veterinary services, legislation, animal disease status and control measures, national residue and microbiological monitoring programmes, as well as the regulatory system for the production of the export products to Singapore.

For example, eggs and poultry can only be imported from Avian Influenza-free areas. This assessment is done in collaboration with the Animal & Veterinary Service, a cluster of the National Parks Board. 

Upon approval, imported food from the accredited sources will be subjected to SFA’s inspection at point of import and testing. 

Eggs and egg products that do not meet SFA’s food safety standards will not be allowed to enter the market.