May 7, 2004

Thai Egg Prices Up Following Shortage Of Hens In Bird Flu Aftermath

The price of chicken eggs has risen in domestic markets largely due to a severe shortage of hens following the bird flu crisis, said Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook.

Responding to an inquiry raised at parliament by Democrat MP Chinaworn Boonyakiat, he admitted the price of chicken eggs had increased to three to four baht each after 10 million chicken were killed to contain the epidemic.

''Mr Thaksin's eggs are selling at an incredibly high price of four baht each. Thats a record high,'' Mr Chinaworn said.

The 10 million chicken slaughtered at the height of the bird flu crisis accounted for one third of the chicken population, which resulted in the drastic shortage of egg-laying hens, Mr Watana said.

Thailand consumed nine billion chicken eggs a year. But the amount of eggs consumed by each person was still small, or 150 chicken eggs a year.

Meanwhile, the price of pork had increased along with the price of maize and other animal feed.

Though pork was subject to price controls by the Internal Trade Department, demand had risen sharply after consumers turned from chicken to pork during the bird flu crisis. Pork prices had increased from 73 baht to 110 baht a kilogram, while chicken meat had increased from 42 baht to 52 baht a kilogram. The average person ate only 12 kilograms of pork a year.