Due to high demand and the threat of bird flu, egg prices have increased.
Suppliers have advised vendors that prices of eggs will increase due to the threat of bird flu and costly feeds, the GMA news reported.
Eggs are now priced between P7.00 to P8.00 at Balintawak Market in Quezon City.
But a retailer this OpinYon reporter this morning that she bought last weekend a tray (36 pieces) of large eggs at Balintawak for P240, which rose by P20 per tray and that this would increase some more next week.
Just today, suppliers said they will raise the price of eggs by P6 per tray, according to another seller. He claims that this will result in an increase of P0.50 in the market price of eggs.
Suppliers raise egg costs every three to four days, he noted.
Suppliers said that the rise in egg costs was caused by their limited supply of layers, some of which are becoming ill. In addition, the price of feeds has risen dramatically.
The vendor said that because of the high price, some of his clients who purchase a tray of eggs are now just taking 10 pieces.
One of his clients stated that she can now only purchase five eggs at the market.
She claimed that she only provides eggs to her youngest children and that her family now only consumes them once a week.
She adds that prior to the price rise, she used to sell hard boiled eggs but stopped.
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Kristine Evangelista, stated during an interview that they are persuading growers to raise production due to the strong demand for eggs.
Traditionally when prices of chicken, meat and fish rise abruptly, eggs become the main source of protein for most people, especially the poor.
“Patuloy po kaming nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga producers para dagdagan po nila kasi ang nakuha po naming balita ay meron tayong mga ibang producers na nagbawas ng kanilang production,” she said.
According to her, many egg producers were discouraged to operate at full capacity because of the threat of bird flu.
She continued by saying that the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Calabarzon District Attorney's office are already in discussions with the producers to raise their output, especially with the start of classes this academic year.
Evangelista said the DA will also coordinate with the market master and the Quezon City government to let some cooperatives supply their eggs.
Tags: #business and industry, #bird flu, #egg price increase