The price of eggs in Calasiao, Pangasinan has climbed to P7.50-P9 per piece, depending on the size, as supply remains limited.

Vendors say the price hike started in February due to farms culling their hens simultaneously, leading to fewer eggs in the market as the remaining hens are too young to lay eggs.

“Kulang na suplay kasi sabay-sabay silang nag-cull ‘yung mga farm. Maliliit pa ‘yung mga manok,” Teresita De Guzman, an egg seller, said.

As of this writing, extra-large eggs that previously cost P8.70 are now P9 each, while the price of medium-sized eggs have increased to P7.50 from P7.

A tray of standard medium eggs now costs P250, up from P240, and the price of organic eggs has risen to P7 from P5.50 per piece.

Consumers like Elizabeth Bartolome hope for at least a slight price drop.

“Mas maganda sana kung medyo bumaba naman ‘yung presyo, kahit konti lang. Hindi na hinahangad ‘yung mababang-mababa, kasi kailangan din kumita nung mga nagbebenta,” she said.

According to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), high egg prices may persist for three more months.

“Sa tingin natin up to June this year... ang tingin natin late of May to June na mag-normalize,” SINAG Chairman Engr. Rosendo So said.

For now, consumers will have to brace for higher prices as the market waits for supply levels to stabilize.