TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is facing another severe egg shortage this year, with few solutions available.
According to the Council of Agriculture (COA), our daily egg production has been declining since December 2022. As a result, egg prices have risen from NT＄23.5 per catty in 2021 to NT＄45.5 today.
Several factors have contributed to the shortage.
Henkeepers explain that hens lay fewer eggs during the colder winter season due to decreasing sunlight, making "winter eggs" a luxury.
Additionally, a global bird flu pandemic and rising raw material prices have increased farmers' costs on energy and feed.
In November 2022, the UK introduced widespread egg rationing, while the United States saw egg prices rise to reportedly US＄18 for a dozen eggs this year, around NT＄550 per carton.
Taiwan's COA initially projected that the egg shortage could end before April but later extended it to May or June.
To address the issue in the short term, COA Minister Chen Chi-chung announced on March 1 that up to 5 million eggs would be imported from Australia by the end of the month.
However, experts point out that long-term solutions, such as upgrading chicken coops to improve living conditions and ensure a stable egg supply, would require extensive investment.
Reports show that building chicken coops could cost up to NT＄60 million, and farmers would need to halt their business for an entire year while the coops are under construction.
Raising the price of eggs to stabilize supply and demand may be a viable solution. Still, it could be an unpopular decision in the months leading up to the presidential election.
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to drive up chicken feed prices, the issue of egg shortages may not be resolved anytime soon.
