Reports of empty egg shelves at some retail outlets do not indicate a nationwide shortage, the Ministry of Agriculture said today, attributing the issue to delayed contract negotiations between retailers and egg suppliers.
Overall egg supplies remain sufficient, the ministry said in a statement, adding that it has set up a coordination mechanism to help ensure eggs are stocked on shelves as soon as possible.
Recent inspections found no widespread shortages across retail channels, and the issue appears to be limited to certain outlets, the ministry said.
Photo: CNA
Supplies of graded eggs have fluctuated temporarily as poultry farmers cull older laying hens and introduce new flocks, but the transition has not resulted in a large-scale shortage, it said.
Local media outlets have reported shortages of packaged eggs at some supermarkets over the past few weeks, particularly brown eggs.
Industry groups attributed the tighter supply to hot weather and molting hens, which have reduced egg production, the reports said.
Supplies are expected to stabilize next month as replacement hens begin laying, the ministry said.
Responding to reports of reduced brown egg supplies, the ministry said that white eggs account for about 80 percent of Taiwan's egg consumption, while brown eggs make up only a small share of the market.
Hens that lay white eggs generally have higher laying rates than breeds that lay brown eggs it said, adding that shell color is determined by genetics, and does not affect nutritional value, taste or quality.
The ministry said it would continue monitoring egg production and market conditions, while working with producers, distributors and the state-run Central Livestock Industry Association to maintain stable supplies and prices.
The first batch of individual income tax refunds for this tax season is to be deposited on Friday, covering more than 3.65 million cases and totaling NT$61.24 billion (US$1.89 billion), with an average refund of NT$16,745 per case, the National Taxation Bureau of Kaohsiung said. After the annual individual income tax filing deadline, regional tax bureaus process refunds in three batches based on the filing method used by taxpayers, the bureau said, adding that the three batches are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, and Jan. 20 next year. The first batch covers taxpayers who completed online filing before June 1, those who
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