TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Egg prices in Taiwan's capital are set to climb as the Taipei Egg Traders Association (北市蛋商公會) announced on Monday (June 9) a wholesale price increase of NT$3 per catty (approximately US$0.10 per 600 grams), pushing costs from NT$32 (US$1.07) to NT$35 (US$1.17). Lin Tian-lai (林天來), the association's chairman, attributed the price hike to declining egg production amid sweltering summer temperatures across the island. Lin also noted that market anxiety over an approaching typhoon has further pressured prices upward as consumers stock up on essential food items.
The combination of Taiwan's scorching summer heat stressing laying hens and earlier economic decisions by farmers has created a perfect storm for egg prices, according to Lin. He explained that many poultry farmers had previously culled aging hens during a period of unprofitable egg prices, further constraining current supply. The pressure is moving upstream through the supply chain, with producers scheduled to implement their own price adjustment on Thursday (June 12), when farm-gate prices will rise to NT$25.5 (US$0.85) per catty, reflecting the tightening market conditions.
Consumer behavior has amplified the pricing pressure, with residents rushing to secure food supplies ahead of potential disruptions from an approaching typhoon, a common preparation pattern during Taiwan's summer storm season. Despite the price increases, Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture (農業部), the government department overseeing farming and food production, offered reassuring statistics about the island's egg supply. Officials reported the nation maintains a healthy flock of 36.84 million laying hens producing approximately 128,000 cartons daily, which theoretically exceeds Taiwan's typical daily consumption of 120,000 cartons. ◼