The price of half a dozen eggs increased by almost 80% between January 2022 and March 2025, rising from 1.14 to 2.05 euros. This year alone, prices have surged nearly 30%. However,.
, between January 1 and March 26 of this year, the price of half a dozen eggs rose from 1.61 euros to 2.05 euros, marking a 27% increase, although it remained stable (between 1.61 euros and 1.62 euros) from the beginning of the year until March 5.
Starting March 12, the price increased to 1.70 euros, reaching a maximum of 2.05 euros noted on Wednesday.
In contrast, last year, half a dozen eggs cost seven cents more, rising from 1.54 euros to 1.61 euros, and in 2023, prices decreased by six cents, from 1.59 euros to 1.53 euros.
In three weeks, the price of half a dozen eggs rose from 1.62 euros to 2.05 euros.
Notícias ao Minuto | 08:15 – 27/03/2025
However, during a portion of this period, from April 18, 2023, to January 4, 2024, a zero VAT measure was in effect. This measure was introduced following an agreement between the government, producers, and distributors, including chicken eggs, to mitigate the inflationary impact on household incomes.
Data collected by the consumer protection association indicate that in 2022, the price increase for half a dozen eggs exceeded 40%: on January 5, 2022, half a dozen eggs cost 1.14 euros, reaching 1.60 euros by December 28.
The price of half a dozen eggs rose nearly 80% between January 2022 and March 2025, from 1.14 to 2.05 euros, with a nearly 30% increase this year, according to DECO data.
Lusa | 17:56 – 27/03/2025
What explains the rise in prices?
The increase in egg prices originated in the USA, due to a scarcity of this food item, initially driven by avian flu, which led to the culling of millions of chickens.
The US consumer price index, published in February, showed that the price of a dozen eggs in that market was around 4.95 dollars (approximately 4.59 euros) in January, a peak since August 2023.
Due to the shortage of eggs, the USA has requested more exports from countries such as Brazil, as well as from Europe.
Price increases “around 20%” this year, with substantial demand from the USA.
Notícias ao Minuto | 09:10 – 27/03/2025
Portugal has a productive capacity of 104%
The Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP) told Lusa that the country’s productive capacity is 104%, implying Portugal has a small margin for export, excluding the percentage that corresponds to internal consumption.
Portugal once had a productive capacity hovering around 115%, but increased consumption led to its reduction.
Furthermore, as highlighted by CAP’s Secretary-General Luís Mira, Americans consume white eggs, while in Europe, they are primarily brown. The differing colors are related to the chicken breeds used for production.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump accused his predecessor, Joe Biden, of leaving the country in an “economic catastrophe and inflation nightmare,” including a shortage of eggs in many supermarkets or exorbitantly high prices.
“Joe Biden let egg prices get out of control, and we’re working hard to bring them back down,” Trump said.
