Egg Prices Rise, South Korea Imports 21 Million Eggs

South Korea's government has increased its supply of imported eggs after egg prices on the domestic market rose. Supply fell after the bird flu epidemic disrupted farms, while consumer demand remained on track.

According to a Yonhap report quoted on Friday, June 19, the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will supply about 4.48 million imported eggs every week until July.

The total imported eggs to be distributed reached 21.12 million eggs. The eggs come from the United States and Thailand. The government hopes that this additional supply can hold off price increases at the consumer level.

"The price of local eggs has risen due to the outbreak of high pathogenic avian influenza in the previous winter, as well as efforts to improve cage density in poultry farms," the ministry said.

High pathogenic avian influenza is a type of bird flu that spreads quickly and is deadly in poultry.

The retail price of a shelf containing 30 eggs reached 7,506 won, or about 4.83 US dollars, in mid-June. This figure was up 7.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

Domestic egg supply also shrank. The average daily supply this month reached 47.05 million eggs, down 3.3 percent from the previous year.

The ministry estimates that egg production will recover to last year's level in July. The hope is based on young chickens that start to lay eggs.

"The number of laying hens continues to increase gradually, while production is also beginning to recover," a ministry official said, as quoted by Yonhap.

The South Korean government said it would continue to monitor supplies and take steps if needed. For now, additional imported eggs are a quick way to hold prices at the consumer level.