Recently, egg prices in Mainland China have continued to rise, with retail prices in many places surpassing 5 yuan per half kilogram, and in some areas approaching 6 yuan. Normally, after the Labor Day holiday in May, it is the off-season for egg consumption and prices tend to fall. However, this year in May, egg prices in Mainland China have significantly increased, with prices changing daily.
According to reports from Mainland Chinese media, on June 1st, supermarkets, markets, and online stores in Jinan, Shandong, have all seen egg prices rising. Retail prices in many places have exceeded 5 yuan per half kilogram, with some areas nearing 6 yuan.
“It was 4.99 yuan per half kilogram yesterday, and today it’s 5.29 yuan, prices change daily.” A staff member at a major supermarket in Lixia District, Jinan, told a Chinese media reporter that the price of eggs increased from 4.99 yuan per half kilogram the previous day to 5.29 yuan per half kilogram on June 1st. An employee at a convenience store also mentioned that the price of regular eggs had risen to 5.49 yuan per half kilogram.
Data shows that in May 2026, the average price of eggs in Mainland China’s main producing areas increased from 3.87 yuan per half kilogram at the beginning of the month to 4.88 yuan per half kilogram at the end of the month, marking a monthly cumulative increase of 26.1% and a year-on-year increase of over 40%.
An article in the “Yangcheng Evening News” on June 3rd reported that egg prices have recently surpassed the 5 yuan mark, with retail prices continuing to climb in many places. The report mentioned that earlier industry losses led to farmers eliminating old hens, inadequate replacement stock, and a tight supply of egg-laying chickens; factors such as stockpiling for the Dragon Boat Festival and reduced production due to high temperatures have also driven up prices.
According to data from the China Feed Industry Information Network on June 3rd, the average egg prices in Shandong, the main producing area, were 10.56 yuan per kilogram, 10.26 yuan in Hebei, 10.47 yuan in Guangdong, and 10.90 yuan in Beijing.
The report also pointed out that as the Dragon Boat Festival stockpiling period nears its end, the replenishment demand is slowing down; at the same time, the hot weather in the south and rainy season are affecting the purchasing rhythm of traders. In the short term, egg prices are expected to remain high, and post-holiday price trends will continue to be influenced by changes in supply and demand.