Egg and chicken thigh prices in Japan have reached new record highs, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries [1].
These price surges affect a staple of the Japanese diet, placing increased financial pressure on consumers and small business owners who rely on affordable poultry products.
Average egg prices for a six-pack reached a record high of 309 yen [1], though some reports cite the figure at 308 yen [2]. In supermarkets, prices for egg packs have been observed ranging from 240 yen to over 300 yen [3]. This represents a roughly twofold increase compared to prices from five years ago [4].
Chicken thigh meat also hit a record-high price, though the specific average amount was not disclosed [1]. The trend of rising costs is expected to continue. Tsuchiyama Toshirō, owner of the Kichijōji TKG Tamago no Ohanashi shop in Tokyo, said he has heard from suppliers that chicken prices are likely to rise further starting in June [5].
Several factors contributed to the price spikes. Avian influenza has severely constrained supply by reducing poultry production [6]. Simultaneously, geopolitical tensions, specifically the situation in the Middle East, have driven up the cost of animal feed [7].
Tsuchiyama said that eggs were traditionally viewed as a "top student" of pricing due to their stability. He said he started his business wanting to provide eggs to customers at a low price [5].
“Egg price has roughly doubled compared with five years ago.”
The convergence of biological threats like bird flu and global macroeconomic instability is eroding the price stability of basic food staples in Japan. As production costs for feed rise and flock numbers dwindle, the 'price stability' previously associated with eggs is disappearing, forcing small-scale vendors to either absorb losses or pass costs to consumers.
