January 29, 2004

Singapore Egg Prices Set To Increase

Chicken egg prices in Singapore are expected to rise soon as the bird flu epidemic sweeps through Asia causing massive shortages.

The Egg Merchants Association said locally produced eggs can only cater to 20 per cent of the market, so if the supply of imported eggs is interrupted, prices can shoot up by as much as 5 times.

During this festive period, the price of a chicken egg has already gone up by 3 cents each, due to the higher cost of chicken feed.

So now, an egg will cost you between 12 to 18 cents.

And as egg merchants don't store eggs, each batch will only last 2 to 3 days.

If stocks run low, prices are likely to go up every few days.

In fact, the supply from Malaysia has already gone down by 20%.

Said Chairman, Egg Merchants Association, Tan Lau Huah: "The price will definitely be adjusted in the next 2 to 3 days, as supply has gone down. Malaysia is facing greater demand from Indonesia and Thailand."

The price may go up by only about one cent per egg but if the bird flu virus continues to spread and supplies are reduced, then it's possible the price may exceed 50 cents or even hit a dollar an egg.

Singapore imports 80% of its eggs, consuming up to 3 million each day.

The association said it's working with AVA to explore other sources of eggs from countries such as Brazil, Denmark and France.