In Ukraine, egg prices have been gradually increasing over the past month, and this trend is expected to continue, according to experts. The main reason cited is the seasonal factor, which affects the pricing of this product every year.
This is reported by Finway
Seasonal Fluctuations and Price Dynamics
Serhiy Karpenko, the executive director of the “Union of Poultry Farmers of Ukraine,” notes that since mid-August, there has been an increase in wholesale prices for eggs, which has ultimately added nearly 20% to their value compared to the beginning of August. Currently, factory prices range from 43 to 45 hryvnias per dozen, and considering retail markups, eggs remain the most affordable source of animal protein for Ukrainians.
According to the expert, further price increases will be gradual, without sharp jumps, as there is sufficient supply in the market and low purchasing power among the population.
“It has always been difficult to predict price formation in the egg market, especially today. It is currently quite challenging to forecast how the cost components of egg production will change, as there is a constant increase in the cost of inputs,” says Karpenko.
Additionally, consumer demand and market changes also influence price formation. In the event of rising production costs or changes in demand, both further price increases and decreases are possible.
Impact of Exports and Production Factors
It is important to consider that nearly half of egg production comes from households, which leads to seasonal pricing. In the spring and summer, the supply of eggs increases, and prices traditionally decrease, while with the onset of autumn and a reduction in production from personal farms, producer prices rise. However, this year, after a seasonal decline in May, wholesale prices remained stable throughout the summer, which is atypical for the market. According to Karpenko, the main factor here was exports: their growth ensured a balance between supply and demand and stabilized price formation.
Currently, the poultry product market in Ukraine is oversupplied, and production volumes significantly exceed domestic consumption. Karpenko emphasizes that about 40% of produced eggs are exported, and this helps maintain market equilibrium. A decrease in export shipments could lead to a reduction in wholesale prices.
After a reduction in poultry numbers at the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the industry fully recovered due to high prices in both domestic and foreign markets. Domestic consumption decreased along with the population decline, but this was compensated by increased demand from EU countries, where population growth and a decrease in domestic production due to avian influenza were recorded.
How Much Do Eggs Cost in Supermarkets
In the largest retail chains in Ukraine, the prices for a dozen chicken eggs of various categories differ:
- At Varus, a dozen of ungraded eggs of category C0 is sold for 55.9 hryvnias.
- At Silpo, eggs of categories C1/C0 cost 49.9 hryvnias per dozen.
- At Novus, a dozen of C1 eggs weighing 60 g can be purchased for 46.9 hryvnias.
Thus, despite the overall rise in prices, eggs remain a relatively affordable product for Ukrainian consumers. Experts predict further price increases due to seasonal demand and production factors, but with stable exports and sufficient supply, the situation should remain manageable.