TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The domestic egg price has again reached a historic high with an ＮT＄2 increase per 600 grams increase on Monday (Sept. 25), bringing the wholesale price from ＮT＄53 to ＮT＄55.
Due to the recent controversy about mislabeling, many have expressed concerns about the quality of imported eggs and have chosen to purchase domestic eggs instead. This shift in consumer preference has led to domestic egg demand outpacing supply.
The price hike results from heightened demand, explained Lin Tien-lai, Chairman of the Taipei City Egg Merchants Association.
In response to the new price peak, Acting Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Chen Junne-ji, reassured customers about the stability of domestic egg production. He reiterated that the ministry will respect market mechanisms and employ rolling inventory adjustments to regulate supply volumes.
To address the shortage of domestic egg production, the ministry opened imports from 12 countries in March earlier this year. However, regulations and cold-storage chains in Taiwan couldn't handle the sudden influx of imported eggs, resulting in various issues, including mislabeling origins and expiration dates. Additionally, the spread of false information has contributed to public concerns.
According to the latest data from the Agriculture Department, domestic egg production currently stands at 115,500 boxes per day. However, the daily demand is for 120,000 boxes, resulting in a daily shortage of approximately 3 million eggs.
Chen ensures that the situation is closely monitored and measures are in place to address the shortage. However, with the peak season for avian influenza approaching, customer apprehension about further price hikes may continue to rise in the foreseeable future.