Prices are soaring on the poultry market: chicken, turkey and eggs have also become more expensive

Chicken and turkey: rising producer prices, soaring retail costs

The producer price of slaughter chicken reached 457 forints per kilogram in the 28th week of the year, representing an 8.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Chicken breast fillet became even more expensive, selling in stores at 2,166 HUF/kg – a 21.1% rise year-on-year. While the price of chicken thighs slightly decreased compared to the previous week, fresh whole chicken in shrink-wrapped packaging was sold for 935 HUF/kg, 7.6% higher than last year. The price of loose whole chicken rose even more sharply, by 16.3%.

The producer price of slaughter turkey reached 672.7 HUF/kg, marking a 15.8% annual increase. The most significant price hike was seen for lower turkey thighs, which became nearly 40% more expensive, while turkey breast fillet surpassed 2,800 HUF/kg. Turkey neck prices also rose, although more moderately, with an approximate 9% year-on-year increase.

Expensive eggs: prices now exceed 100 forints apiece at markets

Egg prices have also increased steeply: the packaging site price of caged M+L size eggs reached 56.22 HUF per piece, which is 37.2% higher than a year ago. Deep-litter eggs were even more expensive at 73.71 HUF per piece, a 26% increase. On the Budapest wholesale market, the gross price hovered around 72 forints, while in retail markets, prices typically ranged between 80 and 100 forints, putting growing pressure on household budgets.

Subdued foreign trade, but competitive processing prices

In international comparison, the processing sales price of whole chicken in Hungary was 240.94 euros per 100 kilograms, well below the EU average of 295.05 euros/100 kg. In Germany, the same figure stood at around 452 euros, meaning Hungary remains competitive. However, in the case of eggs, prices have nearly reached the EU average, with table eggs trading at 242.11 euros per 100 kilograms.

In the first five months of the year, the volume of poultry meat exports dropped by 2.8% compared to the same period last year, while imports fell even more sharply, by 28.3%. A notable exception was shell egg exports, which rose by 58%, although the total quantity exported was still 25% lower than a year earlier.