Egg prices in S. Korea soar 27% due to bird flu

Egg prices in South Korea have increased 27 percent from 5,862 won per 30 pieces to 7,456 won so far this year, due to the bird flu triggered supply shortage.

In January, the prices of eggs jumped 25 percent. Prices reached 6,000 won on Jan. 7 and continued to climb.

The bird flu outbreak has ravaged South Korea's chicken farms since November.

South Korea has imported 20 million eggs since late January in a bid to ease a potential supply shortage ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

An additional 24 million eggs will be imported this month.

The country temporarily removed tariffs on imported egg products on Jan. 28 to ease a supply shortage. Local firms could import a total of 50,000 tons of fresh eggs and other egg products tariff-free until June 30.