Ten eggs bought from producers now cost by 2 lei on average more than several months ago, while to consumers these are sold at a price that is by 4-5 lei higher, depending on the profit margin imposed by traders.
Contacted by IPN, Dmitri Ferfetski, producer from Parlita, Ungheni, said in summer ten eggs were sold for 14 lei, but now for 16 lei. In summer the producers worked at a loss. Now the prices were adjusted slightly. The price at which the eggs are sold to consumers depends on suppliers, which apply the profit margin.
Ion Railean, producer from Briceni district, said the rise in egg prices is due to the low number of hens and, respectively, to lower production.
Producer from Taraclia Nicolae Todorov said the reasons for the price rises include the lower number of bred hens owing to the reduced possibilities and the lower productivity influenced by the colder weather. The producers have export contracts and have to fulfill their obligations. Therefore, they supply fewer eggs on the domestic market. As regards the final price, this depends not only on the profit margin applied by the suppliers, but also on the package in which the eggs are sold.
Today, ten eggs at the Central Market of Chisinau could be bought for 20-25 lei.