The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated on June 19 that it plans to supply approximately 21.12 million fresh eggs from the U.S. and Thailand to the market by next month. The government will import 4.48 million eggs weekly, prioritizing major retailers such as E-Mart and Lotte Mart, while also supplying small businesses like local bakeries and supermarkets.
According to the Korea Institute of Animal Products Quality Evaluation, the consumer price for a carton of eggs has recently exceeded 7,500 won, marking an increase of over 6% compared to a year ago. With the onset of summer heat, concerns have been raised about a potential decrease in egg production.
The rise in egg prices is attributed to a reduction in production caused by the culling of laying hens due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) last winter and improvements in the density of laying hen farming. As of last month, domestic egg production had decreased by 3.3% compared to the previous year.
The Ministry believes that it will take until next month for egg production levels to normalize. Daily egg production is expected to reach 49 million, the same level as last year.
In response to the rising consumer prices, the Ministry is working on expanding government discount support programs and reducing supply prices from agricultural cooperatives. Additionally, to proactively address potential supply and demand instability due to summer heat, the government is considering further increasing the volume of fresh egg imports.
Lee Jae-sik, the Ministry's livestock policy director, stated, "The number of domestic laying hens is steadily increasing, and egg production is gradually recovering. We will support the expansion of domestic production capacity and stabilize farm management while closely monitoring supply and demand conditions to implement necessary measures swiftly."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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