Czech consumers are feeling the pinch at the grocery store this month, as prices for eggs and dairy products continue their upward trajectory. A carton of ten eggs now costs an average of 67.19 Czech koruna—up 3.47 koruna from September and a significant 17.85 koruna more than the same period last year, according to data from the Czech Statistical Office.
The steady rise in egg prices hasn’t let up since August, with October marking the highest price point since May, when a carton reached 68.32 koruna.Looking ahead, the situation may become even more challenging. Beginning in 2027, the Czech Republic will ban cage farming operations, a move that industry experts warn could further impact both prices and domestic production levels.
The Czech-Moravian Poultry Association has raised concerns that this regulatory shift will not only drive prices higher but may also reduce the country’s self-sufficiency in egg production, as some farmers choose not to transition to cage-free systems.However, egg prices aren’t rising in isolation—they’re being influenced by a complex web of factors including avian flu outbreaks, energy costs, breeding material expenses, packaging, and labor costs.
Dairy products are following a similar upward trend. A liter of semi-skimmed milk now averages 27.80 koruna, up 0.68 koruna from last month and 2.26 koruna more than October 2024.White yogurt has also become more expensive, with a single container now priced at 11.57 koruna compared to 10.52 koruna a year ago.
Not all news from the grocery aisles is grim, though. Butter prices have actually declined to approximately 64.66 koruna for a 250-gram package, down from 65.83 koruna in September and lower than last year’s price of 68.77 koruna.Other items seeing notable price drops include pork roast, Edam cheese, potatoes, and apples, with consumers saving 17.24 koruna per kilogram on pork roast compared to September.
The broader agricultural picture shows that prices in September increased 7.1 percent year-over-year, though this growth has moderated from the double-digit rates seen between April and August.The divide between animal and plant production is stark: livestock product prices jumped 19.1 percent, while crop prices actually declined by 0.8 percent.