Small egg farmers in crisis, seek inquiry into dumping

Producers have filed complaints with the Central Region Small-Scale Egg Farmers Trade Association, calling on authorities to investigate alleged dumping that has distorted market prices. Association president Payao Arikul said small producers are being squeezed by multiple pressures. These include rising production and feed costs, along with increased expenses for disease prevention and biosecurity following outbreaks of avian influenza in neighbouring countries. Farmers have been forced to intensify disease control efforts, further driving up costs, she said. The official reference price for mixed-sized eggs was currently set at 3.20 baht per egg, already below the estimated production cost of 3.22 baht. However, small-scale farmers report selling prices that are even lower, 20 to 30 satang per egg below the reference price, resulting in a loss on every egg sold. Ms Arikul wants the government to urgently investigate the sale of eggs at below production cost. Such practices ...