CHIANG MAI, Thailand – Egg prices have surged for the second time in just one month, affecting businesses that rely heavily on eggs as key ingredients. Vendors of traditional Thai desserts are among the hardest hit, voicing concerns over rising costs, shrinking profits, and weakened consumer demand.
In Chiang Mai today, egg prices rose by 6 baht per tray, or an average of 20 satang per egg. A long-time egg seller at Chiang Mai’s Pratu Kom Market explained that the increase is seasonal and driven by market dynamics. Over the past decade, the price of size 0 eggs has climbed from 90 baht to over 120 baht per tray.
Meanwhile, in Khon Kaen, the price hike was attributed to four major egg-producing cooperatives raising the farm gate price by 20 satang per egg, bringing the average to 3.60 baht per egg—or 6 baht more per tray—effective immediately. This follows a similar increase just 11 days earlier on April 17, bringing the total jump to 12 baht per tray in under two weeks.
At Rungruang Farm Egg Shop, prices now range from 130 baht per tray for size 0 eggs to 90 baht for size 5. Despite size 3 and 4 being the most popular among consumers, both restaurant owners and the general public are cutting back—either by reducing portion sizes or choosing smaller eggs to save money. The decline in egg-laying during the hot season has contributed to the surge in prices, though sellers expect the market to normalize during the rainy season and school term. (TNA)
