Japan’s egg prices set new peak as imported beef and chicken match highs
A 10-egg pack cost an average of 312 yen in October, with last year’s bird flu outbreak and growing demand thought to explain the increase.
- In October, the average retail price for a 10-pack of eggs in Japan reached a new record high of 312 yen, the highest since the survey began in 2003.
- The price increase for eggs is attributed to growing demand ahead of the year-end and the after-effects of a previous bird flu outbreak.
- Concurrently, prices for chicken and imported beef matched their previous record highs.
- The peak in imported beef prices was caused by increased global demand and the weakness of the yen.
October brought a new retail price record for eggs in Japan, while chicken and imported beef equalled their earlier peaks, the agriculture ministry reported.
The findings were announced on Tuesday (October 27), following checks at 10 stores in each of the country’s 47 prefectures from October 19 to 21.
At 312 yen for a pack of 10, eggs were 3 yen dearer on average than a month earlier.
The figure was the highest since the monthly survey began in August 2003.
The climb in egg prices is thought to stem from growing demand ahead of the year-end and the after-effects of last year’s bird flu outbreak.
The record price for imported beef came as demand increased worldwide and the yen was weak.
Domestic beef and pork prices were still high.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
