Egg price hike "has no explanation," says Lula

247 – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) lamented on Friday (14) the sharp rise in egg prices and promised a reduction in food costs. During a speech at a federal government event in Sorocaba, Lula highlighted Brazil's favorable economic indicators under his administration but acknowledged rising food prices, specifically mentioning eggs. According to the Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA) from IBGE, egg prices rose by 15% between January and February of this year.

"Our economy is growing, we have the lowest unemployment rate in our country's history, wages have been rising since 2012, and we are sure that the economy will continue to expand. But now we have a food problem. You all know that eggs are expensive. I still haven't found an explanation for why eggs are so expensive. I did some research and discovered the following: in January 2003, a box of 30 dozen eggs cost R$144.15. In January 2024, the same box cost R$143.09. In January 2025, it was R$144.05, the same as in 2003. But in February, it jumped to R$210," he said.

"And I want to find out where the thief is who stole the Brazilian people's right to eat eggs. Our per capita consumption is still low. The average Brazilian eats about 260 eggs per year—not even one per day. But do you know how many eggs Brazil will produce this year? 59 billion eggs. So, there is no explanation for the price hike. Someone is taking advantage. That’s the hard fact. And we want to know who it is. It is not possible for prices to jump from R$140 to R$210 in just one month," he added.

Lula then assured that meat and other food prices would decrease in the coming months, stating that the government is in a "fierce battle" over the issue. "Meat prices will drop, and you can be sure that you’ll be eating picanha again. We are fighting hard. Alckmin has been holding many meetings. We met with the soybean producers, who make cooking oil, the corn producers, those who produce ethanol, the meat sector… We want to find a solution because there is no explanation," he said.

The president also stated that the increase in the dollar exchange rate alone does not justify food inflation and vowed to "find the scoundrel who raised egg prices." "Some say to me, ‘It’s because exports have increased and the dollar is high.’ Okay, exporters will earn more because they sell in dollars, but domestic prices should not rise. We export only 0.9% of those 59 billion eggs. So why did egg prices rise? ‘Because it was very hot, and chickens lay fewer eggs when they are stressed by heat.’ That’s a lie. Last year, it was hot, but now, at the end of the year, we had good rainfall, the weather improved, and every time it rains, I thank God for it because I'm tired of heat and fires. So, someone is messing with the chickens. These egg-laying hens are locked up, not given proper rest, and now they blame the chickens? We won’t accept that. We are on a serious mission. We want to find out who the scoundrel is that inflated egg prices so much. This is unacceptable," he concluded.