Philippine Egg Board Addresses Concerns Over Smaller Egg Sizes Amid Hot Weather

MANILA – The Philippine Egg Board (PEB) has addressed concerns regarding the decreasing size of eggs, stating that this variation will not impact food inflation due to the established pricing based on size categories.

According to Philippines News Agency, chair of the PEB, eggs are traditionally classified into small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes, with prices set accordingly. “Of course, if they (eggs) are getting smaller they will be sold for less,” he stated in a recent interview with the Philippine News Agency. San Diego attributed the reduced egg sizes to the exceptionally hot weather affecting the country’s egg-producing regions, explaining that the heat causes hens to consume more water, which in turn affects the size and texture of the eggs.

San Diego noted that smaller poultry farms, often described as backyard operations, are particularly affected as they lack the facilities to adequately protect laying hens from extreme temperatures.

Elias Jose Inciong, chair of the Union of Broiler Raisers’ Association, also commented on the seasonal impact, observing that broiler chickens similarly exhibit slower growth rates during the dry season. Despite these challenges, Inciong reported that both chicken and egg production have been strong. “Eggs at either the farm gate or wholesale level have been selling at only PHP3.60 apiece. They are being dumped in huge quantities at Blumentritt Market [in Manila] where excess eggs are traditionally sold at low prices,” Inciong explained.

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s March 2024 inflation report further supports the minimal impact on broader food prices, showing a deceleration in the inflation rate for the milk, other dairy products, and eggs category to 2.3 percent, down from 3.5 percent in February and 5.6 percent in January.