A tray that holds 30 eggs has become more expensive than one kilogram of chicken, raising financial concerns ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays when eggs are used to prepare many traditional foods.
 
According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation on Wednesday, the average retail price of a carton of 30 eggs surged nearly 56 percent from a year ago to eight-thousand-389 won as of Tuesday.
 
Meanwhile, the average price of one kilogram of chicken fell nearly 12 percent from a year ago to five-thousand-36 won as of Tuesday.
 
Amid the nation’s worst avian influenza outbreak, eggs have become a rarity while demand for chicken has plunged with consumers turning their backs.