Will Chicken and Egg Prices Fall? Current Trends and Forecasts in Ukraine’s Food Market
This year, Ukrainian consumers have faced significant shifts in the pricing of staple food products — chicken meat and eggs. The cost of these items has approached that of other types of meat, adding further pressure on household budgets. According to analysts, while the price of meat continues to rise, experts predict stabilization and possible price declines by late autumn. Maksym Hopka, an analyst from the Ukrainian Agricultural Business Club, told Channel 24 that by the end of summer, meat prices, including chicken, will remain at their current levels, with substantial fluctuations expected only with the onset of cold weather — from September onward through the end of the year. As for eggs, their prices are expected to start changing as early as September. This is due to a decrease in supply from households, which could lead to price increases or fluctuations in the near future. In late July, the prices for chicken fillet in major Ukrainian supermarket chains were as follows: Novus — 204 UAH per kilogram, Megamarket — 239.10 UAH, Auchan — 229 UAH, ATB — 235.99 UAH, Varus — 219.90 UAH, and Silpo — 234.30 UAH. As for eggs of the YasenSvit brand, a pack of 10 eggs of the first grade cost: Novus — 70.99 UAH, Megamarket — 78.20 UAH, Auchan — 71.40 UAH, ATB — 75.90 UAH, Varus — 55.90 UAH, and Silpo — 78.27 UAH. Oleg Penzin, an expert from the Economic Discussion Club, notes that unlike other product categories, prices for cheaper foods like eggs and chicken have increased more than expensive items. This indicates the complexity of the situation in the industry, where even traditionally affordable products are experiencing significant price fluctuations, worsening the economic conditions for the population and posing new challenges for the country’s food security.