Taiwan recently experienced an egg shortage due to cold weather and the avian flu. In response, the government imported eggs from abroad to temporarily remedy the situation. Now, consumers will also have to turn their attention to another situation - rising poultry prices.
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Grocery shoppers are returning to local markets following the labor day weekend, and they’re noticing that poultry prices now carry a hefty price tag. Taiwan is currently experiencing a decrease in poultry supply, resulting in the rise of chick prices. Prices are at an all-time high, “clucking” in at NT$40 (US$1.30) per chick.
One woman says she will probably eat less poultry. Another woman says some vendors use the supply shortage as an opportunity to raise prices, but she’s not concerned about a lack of chickens.
One vendor says there will definitely not be a chicken shortage, but the prices are now more expensive. One kilogram of poultry can now cost around NT$120 (US$4).
Taiwan’s Poultry Association’s data shows that there’s been a decrease of over one million chickens per week compared to peak poultry supply in the past.
Agriculture Council official Chiang Wen-chuan (江文全) confirms that domestic poultry supply has decreased. He says Taiwan currently imports at least 20,000 metric tons of poultry per month, so the current demand should still be met.
Though poultry shortage does not appear to be an imminent issue, the Agriculture Council says prices can only go down by increasing domestic production. It looks like the government will now have to decide what to prioritize first: the chicken or the egg?