Record cullings due to avian flu in Japan caused an increase in egg prices

TOKYO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Egg prices are skyrocketing in Japan as a record 16 million poultry were culled during the avian flu season. Kyodo News reported on Saturday that the current avian flu outbreak has spread like never before since October last year, with at least 80 cases reported in poultry farms in 26 of the nation's 47 provinces. Local egg seller JA. Citing Z-Tamago, the wholesale price of medium-sized eggs as of March 2 was 335 yen (US$2.5) per kilogram in Tokyo, the highest price since the first data began to be collected in 1993. According to the information given by the Ministry of Agriculture, more than 90 percent of the poultry in the culling process are laying hens, which reduces the egg supply and causes prices to rise. The report stated that concerns about egg shortages are increasing and more and more restaurants are choosing to suspend serving dishes made using eggs. It was also stated in the news that it is expected to take at least six months for access to ...