- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,903
As food prices continue to rise across Japan, chicken and eggs, long considered reliable staples for budget-conscious households, have also become increasingly expensive. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said on 16 June that the average retail price of chicken thighs reached ¥155 per 100 grams, the highest level since comparable records began in 2003.
The sustained increase is putting pressure on restaurants and food manufacturers. A growing number have been forced to revise menus, switch ingredients or raise prices to cope with higher costs. Many businesses have tried to avoid changing popular or signature items for fear that customers might turn elsewhere. For some, however, keeping menus unchanged is no longer a realistic option.
It is not only chicken meat that has become more expensive. Egg prices have also remained stubbornly high. The ministry said on 16 June that the average retail price of a mixed-size pack of 10 eggs stood at ¥309, matching the record high reached in May.
According to the Japan Poultry Association, prices may begin to stabilise around the summer. The group said the number of laying hens, which fell after large-scale culls during bird flu outbreaks, is expected to recover to normal levels in the coming months. Even so, consumers may have to wait a while before chicken and eggs become noticeably cheaper. As inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, foods once seen as dependable low-cost staples are becoming increasingly difficult to afford.
The sustained increase is putting pressure on restaurants and food manufacturers. A growing number have been forced to revise menus, switch ingredients or raise prices to cope with higher costs. Many businesses have tried to avoid changing popular or signature items for fear that customers might turn elsewhere. For some, however, keeping menus unchanged is no longer a realistic option.
It is not only chicken meat that has become more expensive. Egg prices have also remained stubbornly high. The ministry said on 16 June that the average retail price of a mixed-size pack of 10 eggs stood at ¥309, matching the record high reached in May.
According to the Japan Poultry Association, prices may begin to stabilise around the summer. The group said the number of laying hens, which fell after large-scale culls during bird flu outbreaks, is expected to recover to normal levels in the coming months. Even so, consumers may have to wait a while before chicken and eggs become noticeably cheaper. As inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, foods once seen as dependable low-cost staples are becoming increasingly difficult to afford.
Chicken prices hit record high in Japan, forcing changes to bento menus - The Mainichi
TOKYO -- As prices for a wide range of foods continue to climb across Japan, chicken and eggs -- long regarded as affordable staples for budget-consci