The egg prices are making new highs because of the heavy demand and rise in raw material costs incurred by the hatcheries. This winter the egg prices are being quoted at an all time high of Rs 8 per piece in the retail market, as compared to Rs 7 per piece during the same period in the previous year. “In the wholesale market eggs are being sold at Rs 6.15 per piece to Rs 6.30 per piece. A week ago the egg prices had touched a record high of Rs 6.60 per piece shattering all previous records in the wholesale market,” said Parvesh Bobde of Baba Eggs, and member of Mahatma Phule Wholesale Market. The egg prices are witnessing a significant rise in its price due to the massive demand coupled with rise in production costs and 20 per cent lower production in the country, which is creating a shortage and driving prices northwards. He further said that this winter, the egg prices are higher than prices which was witnessed during the second wave of COVID-19 in the month of May 2021. At present, in retail, the eggs are available at Rs 7.5 per piece or Rs 90 per dozen and Rs 8 per piece or Rs 96 per dozen, depending on the locality. Generally with the drop in temperature the consumption of eggs augments resulting in higher prices.

The egg prices had dropped to a low of Rs 4.50 to Rs 5 per piece in May. On a yearly basis, the average consumption is about 10 lakh to 12 lakh eggs per day in the city which includes Kamptee and Kanhan. During the summer the consumption of eggs falls to about 8 lakh to 9 lakh per day.

While it is the opposite during the winter. “

 

The demand for eggs is steadily rising due to the colder climate. It is expected that the consumption would reach a level of 14 lakh to 15 lakh eggs per day during the peak winter season,” he said. On a daily average 15 lakh eggs to 16 lakh eggs are brought to the wholesale market. Out of this, about 10 lakh eggs are consumed within the city itself while the remaining eggs are sent to nearby locations like Bhandara, Wardha, Chandrapur among other places, sources said. Another factor for the surge in egg prices is the cost of bird feed consisting of maize and soyabean doubling during past two years.