December 29, 2022

Wholesale egg prices in Japan reach record high prices this month

Wholesale egg prices in Japan are reaching record high levels in December 2022, mainly because of increased chicken feed costs and the spread of avian influenza in the country, NHK World-Japan reported.

The average wholesale price for medium-sized eggs in Tokyo in December, according to a subsidiary of Japan's National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, was JPY 284 (~US$2.12; JPY 10 = US$0.075) per kg.

The price for that month was the highest on record, up JPY 74 (~US$0.55) from a year earlier.

According to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has caused corn and other grains that hens eat to increase in price, and egg shipments have decreased as a result of the spread of bird flu.

The ministry said wholesale egg prices typically drop at the start of the New Year to reflect a decline in demand, but these factors are clouding the outlook..

-      NHK World-Japan