The scorching heat has taken a toll on poultry farms in Pangasinan with egg production dropping by about 20 percent.

Farmers say the extreme temperature has caused chickens to eat less, affecting their ability to lay eggs.

“’Yung itlog is maliliit, ‘yung size. Dahil sa panahon,” Jessa Daguil, an egg classifier, said.

With lower supply, farmgate prices have surged.

A box of small eggs now costs P2,400, medium-sized eggs are at P2,600, and large eggs are priced at P2,800. Each box contains 12 trays of eggs.

At public markets, prices have also increased.

Marvin Ocampo, a vendor, sells a tray of small eggs for P250, medium for P260, and large for P270. He said high prices have affected sales.

“Pahirapan din, pahirapan pa rin — matumal — kaunti bumibili kasi mataas eh,” he said.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) is monitoring the situation. They hope supply and prices will stabilize in the coming months.

“Tuloy-tuloy itong price naman up to May na sa tingin namin,” Engr. Rosendo So, SINAG chairman, said.