In recent times, the price of chicken eggs in mainland China has been continuously rising. The months of May and June are typically considered low seasons for egg consumption, yet this year, wholesale and retail egg prices in many regions remain high. In some areas, the retail price of chicken eggs has even surpassed or come close to the average price of live pigs in mainland China.
According to a report from “China Business News” on June 19, a resident named Zhang Na in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, mentioned that on March 21, the price of eggs at the vegetable market near her home was 37 yuan for 10 jin (approximately 5 kilograms). By May 31, the price had increased to 52 yuan for 10 jin. The market staff stated that although eggs are still being sold after the price hike, they no longer actively announce prices within their community group.
The current round of egg price hikes has affected many markets across mainland China. A consumer in Beijing, Wang Liu, mentioned that on June 15, the price of eggs he purchased at a supermarket was nearly 7 yuan per jin. The owner of an ecological agriculture company in Yangchun, Guangdong, also confirmed that the prices of eggs from their company have been raised three times recently.
Data from the agricultural digital service platform “Yimutian” shows that on June 15, the wholesale price of eggs at production areas in mainland China was 150.88 yuan per lot. With each lot approximately weighing 40 jin, the wholesale price at the farm has risen to around 3.77 yuan per jin, approaching the retail price levels in some markets.
According to the commodity information platform “Zhaochuang Information,” the average price of eggs in major production areas in China increased from 3.84 yuan per jin at the beginning of May to a peak of 5.24 yuan per jin on June 3, marking a 36.46% rise. Last year in early June, the average price of eggs in major production areas was 2.84 yuan per jin; comparing it to the peak price on June 3 this year, there has been an 84.51% year-on-year increase.
Data from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shows that in the second week of June 2026, the average price of live pigs in mainland China was 10.08 yuan per kilogram, approximately 5.04 yuan per jin. In comparison to this data, it is observed that in some regions, the retail price of eggs has either approached or exceeded the average price of live pigs.
Industry experts cited by Chinese media mentioned that the current low inventory and limited supply of eggs, coupled with increased stocking demands before the Dragon Boat Festival, have contributed to the recent price hike during the traditional off-season period.
The current round of egg price increases is not solely driven by short-term demand. Reports in the Chinese media indicate that in 2025, the overall egg market in mainland China faced an oversupply issue, leading to long-term low prices. Related industry reports from 2025 show that the average stock of laying hens in mainland China reached 1.338 billion, marking a 6.27% increase from the previous year and hitting a five-year high. The average price of eggs in major production areas was 3.17 yuan per jin, declining by 23.06% year-on-year.
The prolonged period of low prices has resulted in continuing losses for some poultry farmers, leading to a decrease in restocking of egg-laying hens. As farmers phase out some hens, the impact of previous oversupply is gradually diminishing, and a reduction in production capacity is becoming evident in the second quarter of this year.
Experts in the industry noted that from the end of 2024 to the end of the first quarter of this year, the egg-laying poultry industry experienced a long period of losses, prompting farmers to be cautious in restocking, thereby tightening the current supply of chicken eggs. Some viewpoints suggest that the current price hike reflects a rebound after the previous period of low prices.