With rising egg prices, farmers in Nghe An are excited to increase their flocks.

Currently, the prices of all types of poultry eggs are slightly increasing, and the market is more favorable for sales than before. Photo: Thanh Phuc

With a scale of 11,000 laying hens, every day,Mr. Tran Xuan Son's farm(Nghia Hung, Nghia Dan) collected 8,000 eggs. All eggs were supplied to the local market, some schools, bakeries, confectionery businesses, and wholesale distributors. While at this time last year (2021), egg prices hit rock bottom at only 1,100-1,500 VND/egg, causing heavy losses for farmers, since Tet (Lunar New Year), egg prices have stabilized and are steadily increasing. Currently, at 2,600 VND/egg (red eggs) and 2,700 VND/egg (white eggs), prices have nearly doubled compared to the same period last year and increased by 200-300 VND/egg compared to a month ago.

At this price level, egg farmers are starting to make a profit. Mr. Tran Xuan Son said: “Egg prices haven't increased sharply, but they are stable and the market is easier to sell. Eggs are sold as soon as they are harvested, so there's no backlog. However, along with the increase in egg prices, the price of animal feed and other input costs have also increased sharply, so the income of farms remains low.”

Egg prices are rising, and poultry farmers are starting to make a profit. Photo: Thanh Phuc

While consistently maintaining over 20,000 laying hens per batch, Mr. Nguyen Duc Luan, the owner of a poultry farm in Yen Due Hamlet, Dong Vinh Ward, had to reduce his flock to two-thirds of its original size at one point when egg prices dropped too low and feed costs were too high, resulting in daily losses of 3-5 million VND. Since July 2021, egg prices have gradually increased and stabilized. In particular, after the Covid-19 pandemic was brought under control and food and beverage businesses normalized, egg consumption became easier, and prices increased slightly. Therefore, he is very pleased. "With the current relatively high prices, eggs are easy to sell, and farmers are making a profit," Mr. Luan stated.

Egg pricesPrices at local markets have also been adjusted upwards. Accordingly, the price of farm-raised white chicken eggs is 3,500 VND/egg, and red chicken eggs are 3,300 VND/egg. Retail chicken eggs have risen to 4,500-5,000 VND/egg. At supermarkets, the price of chicken eggs from reputable breeding companies has been adjusted up to 5,000 VND/egg (an increase of 500-700 VND/egg). Not only chicken eggs, but duck and quail eggs have also increased in price by 200-300 VND/egg (duck eggs) and 1,500 VND/dozen (quail eggs). The prices of fertilized chicken eggs, duck eggs, and quail eggs have also increased in line with regular egg prices.

With the pandemic under control and the food service industry resuming activity, poultry eggs are easier to sell and fetch higher prices. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet, a small trader selling various types of poultry eggs at Vinh wholesale market, said: “In the North, egg prices have increased significantly, and large poultry companies have raised prices sharply. However, egg prices in Nghe An have only increased slightly; currently, poultry farms have raised egg prices by 200-300 VND per egg compared to before.”

According to farmers and small traders, the increase in egg prices is due to two reasons. Firstly, the rising cost of animal feed and other input costs has forced egg prices to adjust upwards so that farmers can make a profit. Secondly, after egg prices hit their lowest point at the same time last year, many farms reduced their flocks and scale, thus limiting supply. Meanwhile, with disease control under control, the food service industry is recovering and becoming more vibrant, leading to a sharp increase in demand for poultry eggs.

Currently, feed prices and input costs for livestock farming are skyrocketing, so the increase in egg prices is consistent with market principles. Photo: Thanh Phuc

Poultry egg prices have risen sharply.With profitable livestock farming, many farms have confidently invested in restocking and expanding their facilities. Mr. Tran Xuan Son, owner of a laying hen farm in Nghia Hung, Nghia Dan, said: “Currently, I am investing in an additional row of coops with a capacity of 9,000 birds. At the beginning of June 2022, I will add 4,500 birds; and by the end of this year, I will add another 4,500, bringing the total farm size to 20,000 birds per batch. I only hope the market remains stable and prices are adjusted appropriately, commensurate with input costs, so that farmers like us can produce with peace of mind.”

The increase in poultry egg prices is consistent with market principles as demand rises and input costs for poultry farming increase. The recovery of egg-laying poultry farming is necessary, but households need to carefully consider and plan their flock size, spacing out breeding appropriately to avoid a sudden, rapid increase that leads to surplus and difficulty in selling. According to data from the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine, the total poultry population in the province as of April 2022 was estimated at 31,867 thousand birds, an increase of 8.10% (+2,388 thousand birds) compared to the same period last year. Of this, the total chicken population was estimated at 26,612 thousand birds, an increase of 9.36% (+2,277 thousand birds) compared to the same period in 2021.

Thanh Phuc