12.1% Decrease in Laying Hen Farming in Q2... Will Egg Prices Rise Again?

Published 21 Jul.2021 12:00(KST)

Statistics Korea Announces Results of '2021 Q2 Livestock Trend Survey' on the 21st

On the 6th, citizens visiting a large supermarket in Seoul are shopping amid growing concerns over rising grocery prices due to instability in the supply and demand of agricultural and livestock products. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] It has been revealed that the number of laying hens (egg-producing chickens) has sharply declined due to damage caused by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

According to the '2021 Q2 Livestock Trend Survey' released by Statistics Korea on the 21st, the number of laying hens as of June 1st this year was 65.87 million, a 12.1% decrease compared to the same period last year. Compared to the previous quarter, it decreased by 6.1%. If the supply reduction continues, consumer prices for eggs and duck meat are also expected to rise inevitably.

The number of ducks raised was 7.528 million, down 19.1% from the same period last year, but up 92.1% compared to the previous quarter. Statistics Korea explained that the number of meat ducks and breeding ducks introduced decreased due to the impact of HPAI.

For broilers, the number was 109.72 million, a decrease of 1.122 million compared to the same period last year. This decline is attributed to sluggish consumption leading to a reduction in the number of broilers raised. However, compared to the previous quarter, it increased by 13.35 million.

The number of Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) raised was 3.508 million, a 3.7% increase from one year ago. This is due to an increase in breeding cows caused by a rise in calf prices at production sites. Compared to the previous quarter, it increased by 4.0%.

The number of dairy cows was 401,000, down 1.2% from one year ago and 1.3% lower than the previous quarter. This is because the number of slaughtered cows increased due to decreased productivity of milking cows.