"The price has increased again!" On the morning of September 10, in the meat, poultry and egg area of Haijixing Chengdu Shuangliu Market, Lao Wu, who came to buy eggs in bulk, scanned the QR code to pay, and couldn't help but muttered, "It has increased by two or three cents per pound!"
Lao Wu's feelings are not unique. Since September, the fresh meat and egg markets in many places have experienced significant price increases, with prices of many major ingredients climbing to highs this year.
Among them, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' monitoring of 500 county fairs and collection points across the country showed that in the first week of September, the national average egg price was 11.58 yuan/kg, a year-on-year increase of 30.7%; the price in 10 main producing provinces such as Hebei and Liaoning was 11.08 yuan/kg, a year-on-year increase of 46.6%.
What is the price of Sichuan eggs? What will be the subsequent price trend? A reporter from Sichuan Guan News paid a visit.
The wholesale price is the highest point this year, and the retail price exceeds "6"
At 9 a.m. on September 10, at the Haijixing Chengdu Shuangliu Market, Luo Lishi, the head of Chengdu Jiajiahuan Agricultural Products Co., Ltd., was counting the egg inventory and pressing numbers on the calculator quickly with his fingers.
"Egg prices have increased recently, with wholesale prices of 5.6-5.8 yuan per catty, 2-3 yuan higher than the same period last year." Luo Lishi told reporters that although prices have increased, sales have not been affected. The store ships an average of 10 tons per day, mainly supplying schools, restaurants, supermarkets and other places.
The business at the Yizhou egg shop nearby is equally "busy". In less than 10 minutes, four or five trucks coming to load goods had stopped in front of the store.
"Today's wholesale price of eggs is about 5.6 yuan per catty, which is a few cents higher than at the beginning of the month. This is already the highest wholesale price this year." Chang Guo, the store manager, said that sales have not been affected so far, with a 30% increase compared with usual in September.
The relevant person in charge of Haijixing Chengdu Shuangliu Market said that since September, the average price of eggs in the market is about 10.8 yuan/kg, and the average daily transaction volume has reached more than 40 tons.
Wholesale market prices have risen, and retail egg prices have also risen.
The reporter visited Gaopan Farmers Market, Yimin Vegetable Market, Manpeng Vegetable Market and other places in Wuhou District, Chengdu, and found that egg prices have completely exceeded the "6 yuan zone". Among them, eggs priced at RMB 8-10 per catty are very popular among consumers.
"The prices of fresh eggs and farmers' coarse-grain eggs have increased a lot. They currently sell for 6 yuan per catty, but they only sold for more than 4 yuan in July." An egg stall owner told reporters that the price of branded eggs has not fluctuated much. It is the same as in previous months and has increased a bit compared with the same period last year.
Egg prices at large supermarket chains also fluctuate significantly.
The reporter checked the Hema online platform and found that the price of 30 pieces of fresh eggs was 23.8 yuan/box, with a limit of 2 boxes per person. Two months ago, this product was sold at 19.9 yuan/box, and the price increased by nearly 4 yuan. On the Sam's Club online platform, many egg products on sale are marked with the word "Purchase Restricted" prominently on the page. Each person is limited to 2 boxes, and the price of 30-packs of selected fresh eggs has also been increased recently, by nearly 3 yuan.
Affected by holiday stocking, prices are expected to fall in October
Why do egg prices continue to rise?
"It is mainly affected by the relationship between supply and demand." Yin Huadong, a professor at Sichuan Agricultural University and a scientist in the National Laying Hen Industry Technology System, believes that the current tight supply of eggs, coupled with the periodic increase in demand, has caused egg prices to hit a new high this year.
The tight supply stems from last year's downturn.
"Due to the sluggish market for laying hens last year, most farmers suffered losses, which resulted in a low number of laying hens this year." Yin Huadong explained that coupled with the high temperature this summer and the increase in feed costs such as corn and soybean meal, laying hens have been idle and their production has been reduced by about 10%.
Demand is rising, for one thing, as September is traditionally the peak season for egg sales.
"With the opening of primary and secondary schools, the demand for eggs for student meals has increased. In addition, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and the demand for eggs as a raw material for moon cakes, pastries and other foods is also rising." Yin Huadong said that egg prices naturally rise with the relationship between supply and demand.
On the other hand, in the eyes of many merchants, the continued downturn in the egg market last year resulted in a decrease in cold storage eggs this year, boosting demand for fresh eggs.
"In previous years, some merchants would prepare cold storage eggs to make up for the shortage of fresh eggs and use them for food processing." Luo Lishi told reporters that after the market fell last year, merchants suffered losses and the practice of storing cold storage eggs decreased. "Merchants are also afraid of losses. Taking advantage of this year's rising market, as long as the price rises a little, they will sell a little. Therefore, there are fewer cold storage eggs on the market, and fresh eggs can naturally be sold at a higher price."
So, how long will egg prices continue to rise?
"The stocking of mooncakes ended in late September, and the demand inflection point appeared. It is expected that egg prices will drop significantly in October." Yin Huadong explained that as the temperature drops, the egg production rate of laying hens recovers, and the reserve chickens start to produce eggs one after another, and the egg supply increases, the egg price will gradually fall.
(Chuanguan News reporter Chen Qiuji)
