Core Viewpoint - The egg market is experiencing a downturn despite the traditional peak season, with prices falling below production costs, leading to significant losses for farmers [1][4]. Group 1: Market Conditions - The price of eggs has dropped significantly, with current selling prices around 2.8 yuan per jin, compared to over 4 yuan per jin last year, indicating a near 50% decrease [1]. - In July, there was a brief increase in egg prices, reaching over 3 yuan per jin, but this was followed by a nearly 20% decline within a week [1]. - Retail prices have also fluctuated, with prices rising from 4.3 yuan to 4.8 yuan per jin and then falling back to around 4.2 yuan, which is nearly 1 yuan cheaper than last year [1]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Dynamics - The supply of eggs is high due to an increase in the number of laying hens, which reached a peak of 1.356 billion by the end of July, coupled with favorable production conditions for large-scale farms [4]. - The average wholesale price of eggs in the national agricultural market was 7.54 yuan per kilogram on August 12, down approximately 27.29% from 10.37 yuan per kilogram the previous year [3][4]. - Factors contributing to the low demand include a decrease in egg consumption in major cities and competition from other protein sources like pork and duck eggs [5]. Group 3: Cost Pressures - Rising feed costs are impacting profitability, with corn prices increasing from 1,800 yuan to 2,500 yuan per ton, and soybean meal prices fluctuating significantly [2][3]. - The cost of feed for a farm with 13,000 hens can reach nearly 2,000 yuan per day, exacerbating the financial strain on farmers [2]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Despite potential increases in demand due to seasonal factors like the start of school and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the ongoing supply pressure is expected to limit significant price increases, with forecasts suggesting average prices may not exceed 4 yuan per jin in the coming months [5].

Core Viewpoint - The egg market is experiencing a downturn during the traditional peak season, with prices falling below production costs, leading to significant losses for farmers [1][8]. Group 1: Market Conditions - Egg prices have dropped significantly, with current selling prices around 2.8 yuan per jin, compared to over 4 yuan per jin last year, indicating a nearly 50% decrease [1][6]. - In July, there was a brief price increase where egg prices rose to over 3 yuan per jin, but this was short-lived, with prices dropping nearly 20% shortly after [1][6]. - Retail prices have also fluctuated, with prices moving from 4.3 yuan to 4.8 yuan and then back down to around 4.2 yuan per jin, which is nearly 1 yuan cheaper than last year [1][6]. Group 2: Supply and Demand Factors - The supply of eggs is high due to an increase in the number of laying hens, which reached a peak of 1.356 billion by the end of July, coupled with a significant amount of eggs stored in cold storage being released into the market [8][9]. - The demand for eggs has been negatively impacted by a decrease in consumption in the restaurant sector and competition from other egg types, such as duck and quail eggs [9]. - Despite potential increases in demand due to seasonal factors like the start of school and the Mid-Autumn Festival, the overall supply pressure is expected to limit significant price increases in the near term [9]. Group 3: Cost Pressures - Feed costs are rising, with corn prices increasing from 1,800 yuan to 2,500 yuan per ton, and soybean meal prices fluctuating significantly, impacting the profitability of egg production [3][4]. - Farmers are hesitant to introduce new chicks due to the current market conditions, leading to a reduction in the number of laying hens as older chickens are sold off without replacement [4][8].

Core Viewpoint - In July, egg prices experienced a decline due to increased supply and weak demand, but have started to recover towards the end of the month due to rising demand from tourism and the food service sector [1][3]. Supply and Demand - In Dezhou, Shandong Province, a poultry farm produces 500,000 eggs daily, primarily supplying supermarkets and wholesale markets in Jinan and Qingdao. The demand for eggs weakened in the first half of July due to school holidays, leading to a price drop, but has since rebounded with increased demand from the tourism sector [3]. - The Agricultural Rural Department reported that the national wholesale price of eggs in July was 7.19 yuan per kilogram, reflecting a month-on-month decrease of 1.8% and a year-on-year decrease of 25% [7]. Production Insights - The number of laying hens in the country increased by 0.8% month-on-month, reaching approximately 1.14 billion, contributing to a sufficient supply in the egg market [9]. - Poultry farmers are currently focused on managing high temperatures to ensure stable egg production, preparing for the upcoming school season and the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays [5]. Market Outlook - The demand for eggs is expected to rise due to favorable factors such as the peak tourism season, the start of the school year, and upcoming holidays, which may support an increase in egg prices. However, the high inventory of laying hens may limit the extent of price increases [9].