Soaring prices take eggs off common man’s menu

Hyderabad, Nov. 23: The price of eggs has shot up depriving many children of a nutritious food supplement.

While an egg was priced Rs 1.70 in November 2008, it climbed to Rs 2.20 in October and is now being sold at Rs 3.50. This is the highest price ever in the State.

The poultry industry defends the price rise saying that the increase in rates of feed, namely soybean and maize, left them with little choice.

A tonne of soybean now costs around Rs 23,000 as against Rs 12,500 last year and a quintal of maize which was being sold for Rs 450 last year now costs around Rs 980.

According to the National Egg Co-ordination Committee, the prices will not come down unless the government banned forward trading of maize, soybean and other inputs.

“The poultry industry cannot survive if the government does not control the prices of feed in the market,” said Mr K.V.S. Subba Raju, zonal chairman of the NECC.

“We will get reasonable profits only when the egg price stabilises between Rs 3.50 and Rs 4.”

On the other hand, chicken prices have been falling in the open market and this has landed many farmers in trouble.

Farmers have to spend around Rs 55 per kilo for broiler chicken but it is being sold at Rs 45 per kg in the market. Dressed chicken per kilo is now available for Rs 76 as against Rs 110. Farmers of various districts including Karimnagar are selling broilers at heavy loss.

The poultry industry representatives have urged the government to supply feed at subsidised price and give concession in power charges. Otherwise, many farms will have to close down, depriving thousands of livelihood, they warn.