Chicken and eggs are among the fundamental foods in the diet of the average Peruvian, as they form an essential part of their daily consumption. These products are not only valued for their nutritional contribution, rich in proteins and other essential nutrients, but also for their versatility and economic accessibility. This is why the drastic change that both inputs have had in their prices.
In several markets in the capital there has been a decrease in the price of chicken per kilogram. This trend began in April of this year and has persisted over the weeks, according to information provided by the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri). In wholesale markets, it is possible to purchase chicken wholesale from S/5.50 per kilo. On the contrary, the cost of eggs per kilogram has experienced an increase in recent weeks.
What is the reason for the drop in the price of chicken and the rise in the cost of eggs?
The Republic contacted José Luis Neira, president of the Northern Egg Producers Association, who assured that the price of chicken and of egg They are not related. “The cost of eggs starts to rise in February. In this season there is no school or university. There are no lunch boxes, there is not much consumption of cakes, in the summer, people do not drink their chicken broth, etc.,” he commented.
“Chicken is falling in price due to overproduction, but this cost is fixed quickly. In 10 days the chicken should be going up. You should keep this bird for 36-38 days and then you have to take it out because it is not profitable to keep it, “he explained.” egg It is totally different, we are governed by supply and demand. Now there is not much supply of eggs,” he added.
The problem of avian influenza
José Luis Neira also pointed to a problem that has been experienced in Peru since last year as one of the main reasons for the rise in the egg price. “Since 2023, avian influenza has arrived in our country, the loads or the replacement of baby chicks so that they become hens are depressed by fear. We still did not have permission for vaccines, they were not available in the environment and no one wanted to take the risk in carrying the animal and getting the virus,” he said.
“This has meant that the same producer that sells the chicks to us does not have much production. It is now where we do not have much supply. With the cold there will be more consumption, in our country chicken broth is consumed a lot. I imagine that At the end of November and December production should be increasing and the price would be leveling off,” said the president of the Northern Egg Producers Association.
Neira points out one more reason for the rise in egg prices. “It was also an increase caused by the same merchant who wants to ‘stock’ the product and they themselves begin to get desperate and offer a premium,” she said.
Source: Larepublica
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