TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Egg prices in Taiwan are set to decline as seasonal shifts impact consumer habits, officials announced Tuesday (April 15). The Taipei City Egg Merchants Association (台北市蛋商業同業公會), a key industry trade group, revealed that farm prices will decrease by NT$3 per catty (US$0.09 per 600 grams), falling from NT$32.5 (US$1.00) to NT$29.5 (US$0.91) amid warming temperatures that have dampened market demand.
The price adjustment reflects market conditions documented by Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture (農業部) in collaboration with the Poultry Association (養雞協會) and leading transportation firms. Current daily egg production has reached approximately 121,500 boxes nationwide, with each box containing 200 eggs, slightly exceeding the domestic consumption requirement of 120,000 boxes. This production level is maintained by a national flock of 36.34 million egg-laying hens across the island.
Industry officials have announced a cascading price adjustment strategy, with wholesale prices scheduled to decrease on Thursday from NT$42 (US$1.30) to NT$39 (US$1.20) per catty. "The recent decline in egg demand prompted our decision to reduce farm prices immediately," explained Lin Tian-lai (林天來), chairman of the association, adding that wholesale adjustments would follow later in the week to maintain market equilibrium.
Not all industry leaders share confidence in the production statistics, however. Lin Han-chang (林漢章), vice chairman of the Poultry Association Republic of China (中華民國養雞協會), Taiwan's national poultry industry organization, questioned the accuracy of reported figures. He suggested actual domestic egg production might fall below the 120,000-box threshold, citing recent temperature fluctuations that have stressed laying hens and potentially reduced their productivity. ★