"Eggflation" (eggs + inflation) is intensifying, so the government decided to bring in more than 20 million additional fresh eggs from the United States, Thailand, and Brazil in June–July.
On the 4th, the government announced an egg supply management plan through the Task Force (TF) on Special Management of Essential Consumer Prices.
Egg prices are soaring. After rising 7.1% in the first quarter from a year earlier, they climbed 6.4% in April and 10.2% in May, increasing each month. The drop in egg production due to avian influenza (AI) that occurred in winter is having an impact.
By the 4th, the government had begun selling 1.12 million Thai fresh eggs and decided to import 1.12 million U.S. fresh eggs from the 8th to the 12th. It also decided to import an additional 20 million from the United States, Thailand, and Brazil through July.
According to Korea Agricultural Marketing Information Service (KAMIS), as of the previous day, the average retail price for a 30-egg pack of domestic extra-large eggs was 7,472 won. The government plans to sell imported fresh eggs at 5,990 won per 30-egg pack to minimize price hikes by retailers.
A government official said, "As the number of laying hens raised increased to a record high from January to April, egg production is expected to recover to last year's level after July."