While rising egg prices and supply shortages sparked mudslinging across political parties, the issue spread among Taiwanese, with people sparring over whether they could track down eggs.
However, food shortages are not a problem just in Taiwan, but a global issue.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have affected two major wheat-exporting countries: Russia and Ukraine.
The global food trade has fallen into turmoil, leading to a sharp rise in prices of feed and fodder. Farmers have also had to cope with chickens molting in winter and a global avian influenza outbreak, which led to a shortage of chickens across the globe, including Taiwan, Japan and the US.
In Taiwan, the number of egg-laying hens plummeted from 44,920,000 to 32,040,000 by the end of last year.
Although there are still about 30 million chickens laying eggs — a number that should keep up with demand — the steep cut of more than 10 million chickens has had an impact on egg supply, resulting in higher egg prices, “cheap” eggs selling out and restaurants changing menus to cut down on egg usage.
Those who have not encountered these “egg problems” should show some respect, and refrain from denouncing those who have. It is the only way to avoid conflict and division.
The government cannot control external factors. It can only attempt to curb the avian flu outbreak.
Food shortages are a global issue. People in the UK are struggling to buy tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, and the shortage there could last for a month. While restaurants have struggled to keep salad on the menu, rising food costs have put mounting pressure on industrial workers, many of whom have gone on strike to demand a pay raise.
Taiwan is one of the few countries that has had relatively stable food prices during this crisis.
War, climate change and other factors have rendered food security more precarious. The government must come up with short and long-term strategies.
On the issue of eggs, imports can solve the problem only temporarily. If it becomes the solution to every price surge, chicken farmers — due to lack of profit — would be dissuaded from further investment in their farms. Local supply would plummet, and the government would not be able to address the source of the problem.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Su Chih-feng (蘇治芬) has proposed that the government instead use import funds to help chicken farmers upgrade their production tools and equipment.
During the single-party rule of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the Council of Agriculture implemented official and non-official measures to pressure retailers regarding prices.
The cost of feed and decisions whether to import — including how much, at what price and from where — were under the total control of the council.
Under normal circumstances, the council keeps things afloat.
However, when it comes to unexpected global shocks, the council is backed against a wall, as it has to put restrictions in place every step of the way.
Initially, when there was a global surge in the price of poultry feed, the council took strict, but lenient steps to keep egg prices under control.
Although this was a move that had the public’s interest at heart, chicken farmers were not willing to raise more chickens due to high costs and low profits. With the drop in chicken supply and the ensuing shortage of eggs, skyrocketing egg prices has shown that tight control of the market was not a wise move.
Global circumstances have made it more difficult for the government to manage the market. To get through dire situations, the government must rely on the free market and make adjustments when needed. It should also educate the public to prepare for fluctuating prices.
If lawmakers could debate on the egg issue in a constructive way, then the nation would benefit.
As global factors become increasingly hard to control, and food security continues to be undermined, Taiwanese should work together to find solutions instead of wasting time blaming each other.
Tommy Lin is director of Wu Fu Eye Clinic and president of the Formosa Republican Association.
Translated by Rita Wang
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