Egg Prices Hit Two-Year High as Farm-Gate Cost Rises to 4 Baht

Egg Prices Hit Two-Year High as Farm-Gate Cost Rises to 4 Baht

A network of layer farmer cooperatives from Ang Thong, Chachoengsao, Chiang Mai and Chon Buri has raised the recommended farm-gate price of mixed chicken eggs to 4 baht per egg, up from 3.80 baht, effective Friday. The adjustment, announced this week, returns the farm-gate price to a two-year high last seen in June 2023, when a similar spell of intense heat squeezed production across the country.

For shoppers, the rise is modest at the checkout — roughly 6 baht more for a standard 30-egg tray — but it lands at a moment when Thai families are watching every baht. Eggs are among the most used ingredients in Thai kitchens, appearing in everything from the morning kai jeow to the humble khao khai that fuels students and workers alike.

Cooperatives Announce Price Adjustment Across Four Provinces

Manoch Chootubtim, president of the Layer Farmers Association, told the Bangkok Post that the four cooperatives reached the decision together after reviewing current supply levels. The change applies to eggs produced in Ang Thong, Chachoengsao, Chiang Mai and Chon Buri, four of Thailand's key layer-farming regions.

The decision follows a pattern of gradual adjustments through 2026. In March, the cooperative network raised the farm-gate price from 3.20 to 3.40 baht per egg — roughly 6 baht more per standard 30-egg tray — marking the first increase in eleven months. Prices were raised again in July, when the Ministry of Commerce explained a 0.20 baht increase by pointing to erratic weather and rising costs, and the Egg Producers Association said it expected prices to begin falling in August.

Heat and Rain Weigh on Hen Productivity

Manoch explained that egg supplies have declined mainly because of fluctuating weather, with heat and rain reducing egg production. The changing conditions have made hens more vulnerable to illness, lowering output just as demand for eggs as an affordable protein source remains strong.

Farmers are now providing nutritional supplements to support flock health during this difficult stretch. The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) says daily egg production is expected to reach 43.4 million this month, about 3 percent below typical output levels. The department stressed there is no egg shortage — production is simply running below the usual standard. Thailand produced 43 million eggs a day in 2025, with 97 percent consumed domestically and the remainder exported, according to the Department of Livestock Development.

Thailand's rainy season has brought an unusual mix of intense heat and sudden downpours this year, a pattern layer farmers say disrupts laying cycles. Hens are sensitive to heat stress, which reduces both the number and quality of eggs they produce, and sudden temperature swings make flocks more susceptible to illness. The same weather pressures have been felt across the region, from Malaysia to Vietnam, where poultry producers have reported similar challenges in recent months.

Feed Costs Squeeze Thai Farmers

Behind the price rise is a sharp increase in production costs. Feed prices have climbed from around 13 baht per kilogramme earlier this year to 14-16 baht now, according to Manoch, squeezing layer farmers who must also spend more on nutritional supplements during the heat-affected season. Feed is the single largest expense in egg production, so every baht of movement in maize and soybean meal prices is quickly felt at the farm gate.

For farmers in Ang Thong, Chachoengsao, Chiang Mai and Chon Buri, the updated farm-gate price offers a measure of relief that helps keep operations viable. Through their cooperative network, producers are balancing rising input costs against the need for consistent output, a structure that strengthens their capacity to adapt while continuing to meet domestic demand. The cooperatives' collective bargaining power also gives small and medium farms a stronger voice when negotiating with feed suppliers and wholesale buyers.

Street Food Vendors and Household Kitchens Face Choices

The rise will be felt at markets and street stalls across Thailand, where eggs are woven into daily routines. Chanon Koetcharoen, president of the Restaurant Association, said higher egg prices may prompt restaurant operators to choose smaller eggs, whose prices are generally lower. But prices for street food fried eggs, which typically cost 10-15 baht each, are unlikely to change.

For Thai families, the egg is a cornerstone of affordable eating — khao khai, rice topped with a fried egg, and kai jeow, the fluffy Thai omelette, are staples at morning markets from Bangkok to the Isaan region. Egg noodles, or ba mee, and curries also rely on eggs as a ready protein. Vendors are expected to absorb much of the increase by adjusting portion sizes rather than raising prices, keeping everyday favourites within reach for households managing tight budgets.

Government Steps In With Thai Chuay Thai Egg Sales

The Department of Internal Trade is moving to cushion the impact on consumers. Under the nationwide "Thai Chuay Thai" — Thais helping Thais — initiative, the DIT will sell 3.42 million eggs from August 13 to 31 at prices about 10 percent below market levels.

The Ministry of Commerce campaign, launched on April 1, 2026, offers discounts on more than 3,000 consumer items through leading wholesale and retail chains nationwide. For lower-income households, the egg sales provide a predictable window to stock up on a staple protein at a more affordable price. Families can plan purchases around the sales window, and opting for smaller sizes or tray purchases offers additional flexibility while preserving the enjoyment of traditional meals.

The intervention mirrors how the government has handled past spikes in essential goods, from pork prices in 2022 to cooking oil and vegetables during earlier cost-of-living surges. By channelling discounted eggs through established retail networks, the campaign reaches shoppers where they already buy their daily groceries — a practical form of relief that sits alongside broader efforts to stabilise the cost of everyday items.

What the Price Rise Means for Thai Families and the Region

Higher egg prices arrive as Thai households continue to manage cost-of-living pressures, and eggs remain one of the most reliable low-cost sources of protein on the family table. The DIT is monitoring supply closely to prevent shortages while supporting both farmers and consumers.

For street vendors and small eateries, the rise is a reminder of how closely food prices track the weather and the farm gate. Many operators say they will quietly switch to smaller eggs or trim portions rather than raise menu prices, protecting the loyal customers who stop by each morning for a plate of khao khai or kai jeow. It is a delicate balancing act that keeps the cost of everyday eating stable even when the underlying ingredients cost more.

Manoch expects prices to ease in October, when improved weather conditions support hen productivity and reduce the risks of heat-related illness. More eggs should enter the market then, restoring the familiar rhythm of supply. The cyclical pattern — weather-driven rises followed by seasonal rebounds — is a recurring feature of Thailand's agricultural landscape.

Across ASEAN, similar weather variability and feed-cost pressures are influencing egg and poultry production in neighbouring countries that trade agricultural goods with Thailand. Thailand's emphasis on monitoring domestic availability helps sustain regional food stability, even as external factors ripple through supply chains. For now, the message from farmers, vendors and the government alike is one of reassurance: the egg remains on the Thai table, and the price should ease again when the rains settle and the heat lifts.

By Ann Srisawat, Staff Writer

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on sources cited in the article.