Egg Prices in Mexico Reach MX$50/kg

In February, the price of eggs in Mexico climbed above MX$50/kg (US$2.67/kg). Outbreaks of avian flu, seasonal factors and inflation are listed as the main reasons for the soaring prices.

Outbreaks of avian flu in both Mexico and the US, coupled with speculation, have raised the price of eggs. The Agricultural Markets Advisory Group (GCMA) revealed that during the first week of February 2023, the cost of white eggs in supermarkets reached MX$53.05/kg (US$2.84/kg), while the red egg variety was quoted at MX$56.33/kg (US$3.01/kg).

César de Anda, Former President, the International Egg Commission, explained that the rise in the price of eggs is mainly due to the spread of avian influenza in the US, Europe and Japan. “This is temporary. As soon as prices start to decrease in the US, which is already happening, they will also begin to drop in Mexico,” he said. Egg prices in the US have ballooned by 59% during the past year, with a dozen eggs reaching US$8. This has triggered a series of egg smuggling events across the Mexican border. Transporting the eggs to another country is illegal for sanitary reasons. Moreover, the demand for this product along the border has influenced high prices in the north of the country, which is Mexico’s main egg-producing region. 

The USDA pointed out that nearly 58 million birds have been infected with the avian flu, while more than 43 million egg-laying hens were culled in the US so far. Meanwhile, even though the flu is said to be under control in Mexico, producers have culled around 5.6 million birds in the country, most of them belonging to 29 commercial poultry production units in the states of Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, Yucatan and Sonora. However, these units only represent 0.3% of the national inventory. 

On the other hand, PROFECO assures that there is no egg shortage in Mexico. “The price of eggs has always risen seasonally in winter since chickens lay fewer eggs during this season. Prices begin to rise in November and fall in March," said Roberto Loya, Director, the Consumer Defense Office (ODECO) in the bajio. According to Ricardo Sheffield, Director, PROFECO, egg prices will remain around MX$50/kg (US$2.67/kg) until the beginning of March.

Moreover, costs of food products have continued to be affected by inflation. INEGI reported that in January 2023, inflation reached a 7.9% rate, a rebound from the previous 7.82% reported in December 2022.

Mexico is the world’s largest egg consumer, with 23kg/y per capita.  Likewise, it is the fourth largest egg producer with 3.1 million t/y and is theoretically self-sufficient to cover its domestic needs, importing only small volumes for some border cities in the north.