ThanhNien News.com reports that between 4 and 11 January, the Thai company hiked egg prices by 37 per cent from VND21,500 to VND29,500 (US$1.4) for a carton of 10 eggs.

Earlier, between December and 11 January, Malaysia’s Emivest had hiked egg prices by 30 per cent from VND19,200 to VND25,600 ($1.2).

The price increases were described as unreasonable by Vo Van Quyen, head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's market division, to VnExpress.

The news website also quoted lawyer Nguyen Van Hau as saying the two companies had "speculated" and could be fined up to VND20 million ($960) under Circular 84.

But CP could be fined 10 per cent of its revenues last year if it has a 30 percent market share under Circular 116.

On 18 January CP told the media that it has only a 16 per cent market share.

But Dao Thi Huong Lan, director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Finance, dismissed this claim, saying the Vietnam Competition Administration is investigating.

Relevant agencies this week would also audit the two companies’ costs and sales during the recent hike in egg prices, she added.

On 14 January CP had told the Ministry of Industry and Trade that the price surge was due to a supply shortage, but the latter rejected the explanation and provided statistics to show supply was normal.

CP then admitted to wrongfully increasing the egg price, and cut it to VND21,000.

But some local supermarkets like Saigon Coop are refusing to buy eggs from the company, saying they will wait until CP makes a commitment not to unreasonably hike prices.

Emivest has lowered its price to VND20,200.

Further Reading Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here.