"Farm Prices Have Dropped" ... 10-Pack and 15-Pack 'Brand Eggs' Still Expensive

Consumer Citizens' Association Survey ... Prices at Large Supermarkets and SSMs Remain Unchanged
Only 2 out of 22 Products from Major Food Companies Reduced Prices

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Although egg prices, which had been soaring, slightly dropped for a carton of 30 eggs, the prices of 10- and 15-egg packages, which are popular among single- and two-person households, remain high.

On the 17th, the Consumer Citizens' Coalition conducted a survey on egg prices (based on special and large eggs, excluding animal welfare and fertilized eggs) sold at four large supermarkets and four corporate supermarkets (SSM) each. The price of 30-egg products in the second week of September was 8,399 KRW (regular price), down 8.1% from the average of 9,142 KRW in June, when prices were at their highest.

During this period, the prices of 30 special eggs and 30 large eggs at production sites fell by 10.3% and 15.8%, respectively.

However, the price of 10-egg products in the second week of September was 5,044 KRW, showing little difference from 5,072 KRW in June. The price of 15-egg products also only fell by 2.3%, from 7,499 KRW in June to 7,328 KRW.

In particular, among 22 'branded eggs' sold by major food companies such as CJ, Pulmuone, and Ottogi, only two products saw a price decrease in the second week of September compared to the second week of June. The remaining 20 products showed no price change despite the drop in production site prices.

The Consumer Citizens' Coalition explained that branded eggs are often sold in 10- and 15-egg units, so they have a significant impact on the overall prices of 10- and 15-egg packages.

Compared to the same period last year, egg prices at large supermarkets and SSMs have risen by 42.4% for 30-egg cartons and 48.1% for 15-egg packages.

The Consumer Citizens' Coalition pointed out, "Although production site egg prices are declining, this is not fully reflected in consumer prices, and egg prices remain more than 40% higher than last year." They added, "Support for price stabilization, such as consumer coupon discounts, is necessary," and emphasized, "Egg brand sellers and distributors should promptly reflect the decline in production site prices in consumer prices so that consumers can actually feel the price reduction."