US Eggs Priced Around 5,000 Won See Massive Popularity

The recent surge in egg prices, with a dozen now approaching 10,000 won, has significantly increased the burden on household grocery bills. As the price of eggs, a staple food, neared the 10,000 won mark, housewife Lee Seong-yeong commented, "They've risen to nearly 10,000 won over the past few months, making them expensive." Go Ju-hwan, who has run a restaurant for over 20 years, also lamented, "With a dozen eggs costing over 10,000 won, our ingredient costs have become excessively high."

Indeed, the average price for a dozen eggs, which had fallen to the 6,000 won range in February, has risen for four consecutive months, recently surpassing 7,000 won. This is 9.2% higher than the average for previous years. The surge in egg prices is analyzed as a result of a combination of supply instability due to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza last winter and increased production costs caused by high exchange rates.

To stabilize egg prices, the government has urgently imported affordably priced eggs. As fresh US eggs, priced in the 5,000 won range, began sales on the 20th, many consumers flocked to supermarkets, creating a bustling scene. Those who entered the stores as soon as the doors opened hurried to purchase the cheaper US eggs. The US eggs are being sold for the latter half of the 5,000 won range per dozen. Despite purchase limits of one dozen per person, many individuals bought them. One family, purchasing three dozen eggs, said, "We eat egg rice every morning, and buying them one by one was a bit of a burden," adding, "We're going to buy a lot today while we're here."

The government plans to continue utilizing imports to stabilize egg prices. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to supply an additional 21.12 million eggs, including fresh US and Thai eggs, to the market by next month. With record-breaking heat waves predicted for this summer, there are also concerns about a decline in egg-laying rates. While the government intends to expand discount support programs to lower consumer price perception, stabilizing egg prices will likely depend on market conditions.