Published in News
Chicken Cheaper, Meat Costlier: Egypt’s Food Prices Split
In mid-December, chicken prices fell in Egypt, while red meat became more expensive, putting pressure on family food budgets.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
A Market Moving in Two Directions
Egypt’s food prices are not moving in one clear direction. Some foods are becoming easier to buy, while others are turning into luxury items for many families.
During December, the biggest change was seen in protein foods like chicken, meat, fish, eggs, and milk. These products react strongly to costs such as feed, fuel, transport, and production time.
Poultry Prices Keep Falling
Chicken remains the most affordable animal protein for most Egyptians.
Prices stayed stable day to day, but they are clearly lower than last month and much cheaper than last year.
Why chicken is cheaper now:
More local production
Better supply and distribution
Slightly lower feed costs
Faster production compared to red meat
For families facing high living costs, chicken continues to replace more expensive meats. It plays a key role in keeping meals affordable.
Red Meat Becomes Harder to Afford
While chicken prices dropped, red meat prices moved in the opposite direction.
Beef prices rose noticeably, adding pressure to household budgets.
Main reasons behind higher meat prices:
Expensive animal feed
High transport and fuel costs
Veterinary and health expenses
Smaller cattle numbers
Long production cycles
Unlike poultry, cattle take much longer to raise and require more money upfront. This makes red meat more sensitive to inflation and cost increases.
For many families, beef is now a special-occasion food rather than a daily option.
Fish Prices Show Mixed Signals
Fish prices did not follow a clear trend.
Tilapia, a popular and affordable fish in Egypt, rose slightly on a daily basis. However, prices are still softer compared to earlier months.
Factors affecting fish prices include:
Seasonal fishing patterns
Fuel prices for boats
Feed costs in fish farms
Fish remains a middle-priced protein choice, but its cost can change quickly.
Eggs and Milk: Small Changes
Other everyday foods showed minor movements.
Eggs became slightly cheaper, following the poultry market trend.
Milk rose a little on the day, but remained lower than recent monthly levels.
Egg prices benefit from the same production conditions as chicken, especially feed availability and farm output.
What This Means for Egyptian Families
Egypt’s food market is adjusting, not stabilizing.
Chicken provides relief and remains the backbone of affordable nutrition.
Red meat is becoming less reachable for average consumers.
Fish, eggs, and dairy continue to fluctuate.
The gap between basic and premium protein foods is growing. While some households can manage by switching choices, others feel increasing strain.
For now, chicken offers some breathing room—but rising meat prices remind consumers that food affordability remains a serious challenge.
Source: https://www.foodbusinessmea.com/egypt-food-prices-diverge-with-poultry-drop-red-meat-rise/