Eggs’ Retail Price Touches Rs 8.50 Each, Squeezes Household Budgets
Poultry traders observe that prices are likely to come down only after egg production increases and supply improves. Until then, they expect prices to remain at the current level. However, if demand rises further, eggs will become more costly, traders maintain.
Tirupati: Egg prices have increased sharply over the past few weeks, making one of the cheapest sources of protein costlier for consumers. The increase has put additional pressure on household budgets. It has also affected hotels, bakeries, and other food businesses that depend on eggs.
Retail egg prices had been between Rs 6 and Rs 7 each until two weeks ago. They have now gone up to Rs 8 to Rs 8.50 per egg. In Tirupati, a tray of 30 eggs that cost Rs 180 in the wholesale market a month ago now costs Rs 240 to Rs 260. Retailers say they have no choice but to sell eggs at higher prices.
Poultry farmers and traders say the price rise is mainly due to a drop in production due to the severe summer. High temperatures had subject layer birds to heat stress, reducing their egg-laying capacity. Many birds also during the peak summer months, leading to a fall in overall production.
The supply has been affected because many farmers delayed replacing their flocks due to rising production costs. Prices of poultry feed, especially maize and soybean, have gone up, while electricity, transport, and farm maintenance costs have increased. With production falling and demand remaining steady, egg prices have continued to climb.
"I have been running a chicken and egg outlet at Korlagunta in Tirupati for the past 25 years. I have never seen prices go this high. There had been a similar increase in prices about two years ago. But it lasted only for a few days," said D. Somasundaram, a poultry retailer.
The increase has affected hotels, tiffin centres, bakeries, and fast-food outlets, which use eggs in large quantities. Some businesses have raised their prices to manage the higher input costs. Consumers rue that the increase has made even a basic source of protein less affordable.
"When vegetables became expensive, we turned to eggs. Now egg prices have also gone up, making it difficult to manage our monthly budget. Earlier, when eggs had been around Rs 5 each, we used to buy a full tray at a time. Now, we are buying only what we need," said C. Radha, a resident of Tirupati.
Poultry traders observe that prices are likely to come down only after egg production increases and supply improves. Until then, they expect prices to remain at the current level. However, if demand rises further, eggs will become more costly, traders maintain.
