With egg prices up more than 5% from a normal year, the price of a tray of extra-large eggs (30) is nearing 7,000 won.
According to the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation's livestock distribution data on the 25th, as of the day before, the consumer price for a tray of extra-large eggs was 6,835 won, up 5.13% from a normal year (6,501 won).
According to the itemized consumer price index that the Ministry of Data and Statistics (MODS) released last month, eggs rose 7.3% over the past year, outpacing the overall increase in livestock products (5.3%).
As prices climb, concerns about supply instability are growing as outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) increase at layer farms. The number of AI cases at layer farms this winter is 11, six more than the same period last year (5). Because of this, 2.75 million layers have been culled this winter after AI was confirmed.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs says there is no problem with egg supply for now. As egg prices strengthened, farms increased placement of layers (bringing in birds to raise), so this month's production is higher than a normal year. However, it was noted that if more than 5 million chickens are culled, it will affect supply and demand.