Government to Boost Egg Supply by 21.12 Million to Stabilize Prices

To stabilize soaring egg prices, the government will import an additional 21.12 million fresh eggs from the United States and Thailand for market supply. This measure aims to curb price increases by boosting import volumes and expanding discount support until domestic egg production recovers. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to sequentially release these eggs into the market through July. Starting this weekend, 1.12 million fresh eggs from the U.S. will be available first at major supermarkets. Subsequently, over 4.48 million eggs will be consistently supplied weekly, ensuring benefits reach not only large retail chains but also small neighborhood stores and bakeries. Adding to the 10.11 million imported eggs supplied from January to mid-June, the total planned domestic supply of imported eggs from January to July will increase to 31.23 million.

The government is diversifying import sources by pursuing the introduction of fresh eggs from Brazil, following the U.S. and Thailand. This marks the first time fresh eggs from Brazil will be imported into the country. The period for applying reduced tariffs on processed egg products will be extended from June to December, and the volume subject to these tariffs will also be expanded from 4,000 tons to 8,000 tons.

These measures are impacting egg prices, which remain at high levels. Egg prices are high at both the production and retail stages. As of mid-June, the ex-farm price for a 30-egg carton of XL grade eggs was 6,263 won, up 24.1% from the average year, while the retail price was 7,506 won, 9.3% higher than the average year.

The primary cause cited for the price increase is the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak last winter. Combined with the culling of laying hens and efforts to improve farm stocking density, overall egg production has decreased. In June, domestic daily egg production stood at 47.05 million eggs, 1.2% more than the average year, but 3.3% less than the same period last year.

The production base is showing signs of gradual recovery. From January to May this year, the number of chicks placed on farms increased by 12.8% compared to last year. In June, the number of laying hens was counted at 78.79 million, an increase of 4.6% from the average year. As chicks mature and begin laying eggs, daily production is expected to recover to around 49 million eggs per day starting in July.

An increase in the number of laying hens will not immediately lead to lower consumer prices. It takes time for chicks to grow into mature hens that lay eggs, and for this volume to be supplied to the market. During this period, the government will expand support for agricultural and livestock product discounts and coordinate with the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to lower egg supply prices.

Summer heatwaves could also be a variable. If increased heat causes chickens to consume less feed and experience greater stress, laying rates could drop, potentially exacerbating supply instability. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will monitor the impact of heatwaves, the speed of production recovery, and consumer price trends, and is considering further increasing fresh egg imports if necessary.