Agriculture Ministry says egg prices return to normal after crackdown on ‘manipulation’

BAGHDAD — The Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday reassured citizens that eggs are widely available in local markets and that prices have stabilized after the government intervened to prevent hoarding and artificial price hikes.

Walid Mohammed Razuqi, director of the Livestock Department at the ministry, told the state-run Al-Sabah newspaper that the price of a 30-egg tray has returned to about 6,000 dinars ($4.26). “The rise in egg prices over the past few days was temporary and came as a result of increased demand with the start of the winter season and students returning to school,” he said.

“Some breeders resorted to hoarding the product for a short period to raise prices, which caused a temporary market disruption,” Razuqi said, adding that the ministry immediately formed field committees and coordinated with the National Security Service to inspect markets, including the Jamila wholesale market in Baghdad. “This intervention led to prices returning to their natural level,” he said.

Razuqi said the ministry continues to support local hatchery owners and egg producers under ongoing strategic plans and has an emergency mechanism to allow imports if needed to maintain market stability. “Local eggs are available in sufficient quantities, and there is no production crisis,” he said. “Any attempt to monopolize essential food products is considered an economic crime punishable by law.”