Average prices for eggs and chicken thighs in Japan reached record highs in March 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries [1].
These price spikes impact national food security and household budgets, as poultry products are primary protein sources for millions of Japanese consumers.
Data collected between March 11 and 13, 2024, shows the average price for one pack of 10 eggs reached 309 yen [1]. This figure matches the highest price ever recorded for the product [1]. Additionally, egg prices were 21 percent higher than the average for the same period in typical years [1].
Chicken thigh prices also surged, reaching a new record high of 154 yen per 100 grams [1].
Several factors contributed to the price increases. The Ministry said the prevalence of avian influenza was a primary cause for the supply shortage [1]. Increased demand during the spring travel and leisure season further pressured prices [3].
Global economic pressures also played a role. The cost of animal feed, packaging, and transportation rose due to tightening tensions in the Middle East [1, 3]. These logistics and raw material costs have trickled down to the retail level, driving the national average upward [3].
Regarding the current market volatility, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said, "We will closely monitor the situation" [1].
“Average prices for eggs and chicken thighs in Japan reached record highs in March 2024”
The convergence of biological threats like avian flu and geopolitical instability affecting supply chains has created a volatile food market in Japan. Because Japan relies heavily on imported feed, regional conflicts in the Middle East directly inflate the cost of domestic poultry, making food prices susceptible to global events beyond the government's immediate control.
