Thailand asks firms to cut egg exports by up to 50% after floods kill millions of hens

Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has asked egg exporters to curb overseas shipments after severe flooding killed around three million hens and disrupted supplies in several parts of the country.

Export curbs to protect domestic supply

The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) met representatives of egg farmers, producers, collectors, wholesalers, retailers and exporters to review the supply situation.

In an official statement issued on October 2, the DIT asked exporters either to reduce overseas shipments by 30% to 50% or postpone exports by two to three weeks, with the aim of increasing egg availability on the domestic market.

Exporters were also asked to submit weekly export plans for October and November. The DIT said it would continue to monitor supply and could tighten the measures if necessary.

Flood losses hit poultry farms

The floods have directly affected poultry farms. In Chachoengsao province, around three million hens died, according to DIT deputy director-general Jirawuth Suwanna-arj.

The losses have tightened egg supplies, while high water levels have also made transport and distribution more difficult in affected areas.

More than 30 provinces have been hit by flooding. Reuters reported that 51 provinces had experienced floods since September 16.

Price measures and domestic supply

The DIT asked the Egg Producers Association and major farms to keep the farmgate price at around four baht per egg.

Domestic demand is estimated at about 12 million eggs a day, and authorities are working to keep supplies moving through the market.

Price increases have nevertheless been reported in some areas. In Chon Buri, a retailer in Si Racha reported that farmgate egg prices had risen by around six to ten baht per tray, depending on egg size, as supplies tightened and transport was disrupted.

Major wholesale and retail chains have also been asked to maintain reserve stocks at nearby branches unaffected by flooding so that supplies can be sent quickly to affected areas.

Consumers can report unjustified price increases or other sales and pricing irregularities through the DIT hotline 1569.

Extending the productive life of laying hens

The DIT is also working with other agencies to extend the productive life of laying hens from around 80 to 85 weeks.

The measure is intended to maintain egg supplies and increase output to the domestic market. Longer laying cycles, however, require careful management of nutrition, flock health, egg quality and performance.

Export context: Singapore and Hong Kong as main markets

According to Agriculture Ministry data cited by Reuters, Thailand exported eggs worth 1.7 billion baht, or about US$50.46 million, in 2025.

Singapore accounted for around 79% of these exports and Hong Kong for about 9%. Any prolonged reduction in Thai shipments would therefore be felt most strongly in these two markets.

Weather monitoring and logistics support

Authorities are continuing to follow weather and flood data from the Thai Meteorological Department and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

The Commerce Ministry is also supporting distribution in areas affected by high water levels. The DIT said operators having difficulty transporting eggs could contact the department, which can coordinate assistance from military transport units.

Impact on the poultry sector

The floods have affected both production and distribution, exposing how quickly local egg supplies can come under pressure when farms and transport routes are hit at the same time.

Keeping older hens in production may provide some short-term relief, but it also places greater importance on flock condition, shell quality and feeding management.

The next points to watch will be how long the emergency measures remain in place, whether egg prices stabilise, how quickly affected farms recover and whether lower exports begin to affect Singapore and Hong Kong.