Eggs Become More Expensive, Designated for Special Government Price Management (Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jaehee = On the 13th, eggs are displayed at a large supermarket in Seoul. The price of a pack of 30 eggs has increased by 1,000 won compared to a year ago, and they are now designated as a special item for government price stabilization. March 13, 2026.
High-pathogenic avian influenza (AI) and African swine fever (ASF) have not subsided for several months, leading to a sharp rise in livestock product prices.
Last month, the livestock product price index compiled by the National Data Office jumped 6% compared to a year earlier.
The price increases of pork (7.3%) and eggs (6.7%) were particularly steep.
Last month’s egg price index was 141.55, which is 41% higher than in 2020. Chicken prices rose by 31.8% and pork by 28%.
This month, the prices of major livestock products, including eggs, chicken, pork, and beef, continue to rise.
According to the Livestock Products Quality Evaluation Institute’s distribution information, the average consumer price of a pack of 10 eggs, commonly bought by single households, was 3,893 won last week (the second week of this month), showing a more than 20% increase from a year ago.
The increase in egg prices is due to a decline in production caused by the ongoing outbreak of high-pathogenic avian influenza over the past six months.
From 2025 to the winter of 2026, approximately 9.8 million laying hens have been culled due to high-pathogenic avian influenza.
Chicken prices are also rising.
Last week’s consumer price for chicken was 6,235 won per kilogram, 7.6% more expensive than the same period last year.
Due to the spread of African swine fever, pork prices are also on the rise.
As of the second week of this month, the price of pork belly was 2,611 won per 100g, and pork neck was 2,440 won, which are 3.1% and 4.9% higher, respectively, than a year ago.
The Agricultural Observation Center expects the average wholesale price of pork in the first half of this year to be between 5,500 and 5,700 won per kilogram, up 3.3% from last year and 12.8% higher than the average year.
As of the second week of this month, Korean beef tenderloin (15,616 won per 100g) and sirloin (12,296 won per 100g) rose by 14.0% and 17.4%, respectively, compared to last year, and brisket (7,118 won per 100g) surged by 20.5%.
The Agricultural Observation Center predicts that the pressure on price increases will continue for the time being as the number of Korean cattle raised decreases, resulting in fewer slaughters.
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