Thailand is grappling with a surge in egg prices due to a supply shortage and rising export demand.

Vendors said the costs were the highest they have seen in decades, and have blamed the price hikes on the replacement of old hens at farms as well as an increased demand for egg exports.

Wanchai Rungmitcharatsaeng, 65, an egg shop owner who has been in the business for more than two decades, said egg prices were at an all-time high.

To cut losses, some vendors have decided to stop selling the largest-sized 'No. 0' eggs, fearing they may be too expensive for consumers. A carton of 30 No. 0 eggs costs 145 baht (4.2 USD) at wholesale, with each egg retailing at 6 baht (0.17 USD) each.

Meanwhile, No. 1 eggs were selling for 135 baht (3.9 USD) a carton, with a retail price of 4.5 baht (0.13 USD) per egg.

He said his suppliers have been replacing their old farm hens with younger ones, resulting in less supply.

Another long-time vendor, Kosol Nadam, 36, who runs an egg shop in Uthai Thani province, echoed Wanchai's sentiments and agreed egg prices have skyrocketed in recent months.

Suthasin Amaruek, the president of the Thai Egg Merchant Trade Association, raised concerns over the price increases in No. 3, 4, and 5 eggs, saying these were not in-demand exports.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri attributed the price spikes to 'volatile weather conditions'.