The demand for eggs has surged as more consumers opt for them over chicken, following a significant increase in poultry prices in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA).

PEBA President Francis Uyehara said Wednesday that the shift in consumer preference is driven by economic factors.

"The price of pork significantly increased due to African swine fever (ASF), prompting some consumers to turn to chicken. However, in the first quarter of this year, chicken prices also saw a substantial rise, leading many to shift to eggs," Uyehara said in Filipino in an interview with dzBB.

As demand grows, concerns over egg pricing and sizing have also emerged in various markets. Uyehara noted that some wet market vendors manipulate egg sizes to mislead buyers.

"Many wet markets sell eggs at different prices, but without proper size labeling. Small eggs are sometimes passed off as medium-sized ones," he revealed. He emphasized the need for transparency and adherence to the standard egg weight classifications.

To ensure fair pricing, Uyehara urged consumers to verify egg sizes and weights before purchasing. "All farms have egg-weighing machines to maintain standard sizes. Consumers can also use digital weighing scales to check the accuracy of their purchases."

Eggs per kilo

Meanwhile, proposals to shift from selling eggs by the piece to selling by weight have resurfaced, a topic that has been debated for over a decade.

"We are not against selling eggs by the kilo, but this would require extensive preparations and adjustments in production and retail systems," Uyehara explained. However, he clarified that switching to a per-kilo pricing system would not necessarily affect actual prices but would address issues of fraud and handling.

Ultimately, Uyehara stressed that egg prices are dictated by the basic principles of supply and demand. "As more people turn to eggs due to increasing meat prices, the demand naturally pushes egg prices up," he said.