Egg Prices Rise Again: '3 New Taiwan Dollars per Catty'! Wholesale Price Hits Nearly Two-Year High — Multiple Factors Revealed: Heatwave and Typhoon Disruptions

Egg prices are rising once again, as prolonged high temperatures have reduced laying rates, compounded by the molting season and increased pre-typhoon consumer purchasing. The Taipei City Egg Merchants Association announced that egg prices will increase by 3 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) per Taiwanese catty this week. Farmgate prices have risen from 36.5 NTD to 39.5 NTD, while wholesale prices have increased from 46 NTD to 49 NTD—the highest level in nearly two years.

Liu Wei-chih, Standing Supervisor of the Taipei City Egg Merchants Association, pointed out that egg production has declined due to older hens undergoing molting and hot weather conditions. Additionally, the approach of a typhoon has triggered consumer stockpiling behavior, slightly boosting demand, although production has not yet recovered.

According to the latest egg production and sales data from the Council of Agriculture, daily egg output is currently around 123,000 cases, a decrease of 500 cases compared to last week. With each case containing approximately 200 eggs, this represents a shortfall of about 100,000 eggs.

The Council of Agriculture recently stated that recent egg price increases are influenced by multiple factors, including high temperatures, production adjustments, and rising feed costs. While output has indeed decreased, there is no large-scale egg shortage. Overall supply and demand, as well as price fluctuations, remain within a reasonable range. In the short term, the supply of graded eggs suitable for washing and packaging is relatively tight, whereas the supply of traditional loose eggs in conventional markets is less affected.

Some egg farmers have also noted that supply in certain production areas has further declined. They emphasize that the drop in production is the primary reason behind this latest round of price increases.