The average wholesale price of M-size eggs in Tokyo fell to ¥308 per kilogram [1], marking five consecutive months below the same period last year [2].
This divergence between wholesale and retail pricing highlights a volatile recovery in Japan's agricultural supply chain. While producers are seeing a return to stability, consumers continue to face elevated costs at the grocery store.
According to JA全農たまご (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives Egg division), the average wholesale price for M-size eggs in the Tokyo area reached ¥308 per kilogram this month [1]. This downward trend continues for the fifth straight month compared to the previous year [2].
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries attributed the lower wholesale prices to an increase in supply. The ministry said the number of chickens is recovering after a large avian-influenza outbreak that occurred two years ago [2].
Despite the drop in wholesale costs, retail egg prices across Japan have remained at their highest levels for two consecutive months [2]. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are keeping retail prices high. These tensions have negatively impacted the cost of animal feed, and transportation [2].
Industry officials are monitoring whether the recovery in chicken numbers will eventually outweigh the external costs of logistics and feed. For now, the benefit of increased supply is being absorbed before it reaches the consumer shelf.
“The average wholesale price of M-size eggs in Tokyo fell to ¥308 per kilogram.”
The gap between falling wholesale prices and rising retail costs suggests that supply-side recovery is currently being offset by macroeconomic pressures. While the biological recovery from avian influenza has stabilized production, the Japanese food market remains vulnerable to global shocks—specifically Middle East instability—which drives up the cost of imported feed and fuel. This indicates that domestic production increases alone may not be enough to lower consumer prices if global logistics costs remain elevated.
