Chicken and egg prices exacerbate food crisis

This month, the price of chicken reached its highest level in a year, especially affecting the more than 16.6 million people who already live in food insecurity or lack access to good quality food, according to the United Nations Food Organization (FAO). .

The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Land Reclamation indicates that currently just one kilogram of chicken sells for an average of SGD 11.27. in Lima’s retail markets. The seller of this product, Doris Comilianchi, commented to RPP what the minimum price is for this product.

“The price of chicken has gone up too much, right now we are selling it at a minimum of SGD 10.8, SGD 11.50 to the public, SGD 11.50, but the halves, whole at SGD 10.80, they say it’s because the food is expensive. Customers no longer buy. This market is empty,” he said.

Chicken above C/ in different regions of the country

In regions such as Ica and Apurimac, a kilogram of chicken costs up to 12 soles, and in Huaraz, Peruvians buy this bird for 13 soles per kilogram.

Sellers and producers explain the increase in the price of this type of meat by the growth in world prices for corn, which also affects the cost of eggs. Alex Geri, a spokesman for the Association of Poultry Farmers (Avisur), clarifies that they can no longer raise the same number of chickens because their capital is insufficient.

“Corn, soybeans, wheat have risen too high, which does not allow replacing pullets. So if earlier we needed $40,000 to raise 10,000 chickens, now we need $80,000 for the same amount, then this forced us to reduce the breeding and reduce the load,” he said.

The price of corn affects production

consumption eggs also dropped 40%, according to Avisur. and this year it is expected that a Peruvian could have eaten less than 180 eggswhen last year consumption reached 243 units per person.

With the increase in the number of these products basic grocery basket According to Juan Carlos Odar, director of Phase Consultores, it’s harder to get, as it now costs more than 500 soles.

“As of June, the minimum consumption basket for four people in metropolitan Lima was $506.50, that’s just basic food, if we accounted for all types of food, we would reach $868.10,” he said.

In the past, fish and shellfish were substitutes for chicken, which pushed up prices. According to the National Statistical and Informatics Institute (INEI), prices for fish varieties rose by 6.17% in July.