[경제]Livestock prices skyrocket due to the spread of livestock epidemic… imported eggs’no tariff’

[앵커]

There is a lot of demand for home food due to Corona 19, but livestock infectious diseases, including avian influenza and African swine fever, have also struck an emergency in livestock prices.

The government has decided not to apply tariffs on imported eggs temporarily to stabilize the price of eggs soaring every day.

Reporter Gye Hoon-hee reports.

[기자]

Hypermarket egg sales corner.

The price of eggs has risen sharply over the past few days, so housewives cannot easily choose.

[전혜원 / 주부 : 매번 고르는 계란인데, 샀더니 계산할 때 보니까 7천 원이 넘더라고요. 집에 와서 보고 깜짝 놀래서…. 비싼거죠. 너무 힘들어요. ]

In November of last year, since highly pathogenic AI was confirmed in poultry farms, egg prices have already jumped more than 20%.

As a result of the spread of avian influenza, a plate of eggs is approaching 7,000 won, and some places limit the number of purchases.

Over 8 million laying hens were buried, and the supply of eggs decreased by 11% compared to normal.

As consumer psychological anxiety grows, the government is also taking measures every day.

To stabilize the price of eggs, we have decided not to impose tariffs on imported eggs until the end of June.

[홍남기 / 부총리 겸 기획재정부 장관 : 계란에 대해서는 총 5만 톤까지 무관세 수입이 가능하도록 긴급할당관세를 한시적으로 적용하고자 합니다.]

Also, with government support, we are holding an event that cuts the price of eggs by 20% at hypermarkets and online malls.

[김명수 / 한국농촌경제연구원 : 시기적으로 계란 수요가 증가하는 설을 앞두고 있고 AI로 인해서 매몰 처분 마릿수가 증가할 경우 계란 가격 상승세는 당분간 지속될 것으로 전망됩니다.]

In addition to eggs, prices for other livestock products are rising.

Chicken and duck prices also rose 10.6% and 33.2% from last year, respectively.

As concerns over the spread of swine fever in Africa have recently increased, the common meal of the common people, Samgyeopsal, has soared nearly 25% from a year ago.

The price per kilogram of Korean beef sirloin has also continued to reach 100,000 won since this year.

With the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak, the time to stay at home continues to grow, and the Lunar New Year holiday is approaching three weeks ahead, increasing the burden of food prices.

YTN Kye Hoon-hee[[email protected]]is.

[저작권자(c) YTN & YTN plus 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]