"Egg Shortage" Prices Soar Fiercely... Concerns Over Virus-Induced Supply Crisis

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] "I don't think this happened even during the egg crisis... The egg section is completely empty."

Housewife Kim (38) was shocked when she visited a warehouse-style mart to shop on the 15th. There was not a single carton of eggs left in the refrigerated section where fresh eggs were always stacked in bundles of two. Although the purchase limit was reduced to one carton per member, even that was sold out.

Egg prices are soaring rapidly. This is due to a surge in consumer demand following the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with supply disruptions caused by the domestic spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI).

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 16th, as of 4 p.m. the previous day, the consumer price of eggs was 2,223 KRW for 10 premium eggs, up 25.9% compared to the same period last year. This price is about 25% higher than the average price for the same month in normal years (2016?2020) of 1,779 KRW, and compared to the farm gate price (1,576 KRW), it surged 35.4% year-on-year and 33.3% compared to normal years.

Unlike broiler chickens, eggs have no frozen stock, so prices fluctuate significantly depending on supply and demand. As of midnight on the 15th, 8.835 million laying hens were culled at 125 farms near confirmed cases due to the spread of highly pathogenic AI in domestic farms.

Duck prices are also on the rise. The consumer price of duck meat is 14,818 KRW per kilogram, up 33.2% from last year. Based on farm gate prices, it surged 76.4% in one year to 2,616 KRW. The average farm gate price in normal years was only 1,770 KRW.

Recently, the spread of highly pathogenic AI among poultry farms and wild birds is accelerating. As of 9 a.m. the previous day, since October 1 of last year, there have been a total of 60 cases of highly pathogenic AI in domestic poultry farms and 74 cases in wild birds. A total of 18.97 million birds, including broilers, laying hens, breeding ducks, native chickens, and meat ducks, have been culled.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment are strengthening surveillance and controlling human and vehicle access in areas where highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in wild birds, including the newly confirmed regions. To prevent the introduction of highly pathogenic avian influenza into farms, they are conducting intensive disinfection using wide-area spraying machines and disinfection vehicles on roads near migratory bird habitats and farm entrances.

Lee Ki-jung, head of the Avian Influenza Prevention Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (leader of the domestic prevention team), said, "Highly pathogenic AI antigens continue to be detected in wild birds nationwide, raising serious concerns about additional outbreaks in poultry farms. Poultry farms should strictly prohibit the entry of external people and vehicles, and do their best to implement biosecurity measures such as changing boots before entering barns, establishing lime belts, and cleaning and disinfecting anterooms."

Jang Sung-hyun, team leader of the Wild Bird AI Response Team at the Ministry of Environment, emphasized, "This winter, to prevent the spread of avian influenza, please refrain from visiting migratory bird habitats as much as possible. If visiting is unavoidable, thoroughly practice personal hygiene such as disinfection and wearing masks, and avoid contact with dead wild birds. Please report immediately to the authorities if any are found."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.