Rising production cost makes eggs expensive

AHMEDABAD | KOCHI: Eggs, India's breakfast protein staple, have become 50% more expensive this summer compared to last year. Egg prices are ruling at Rs 4-Rs 5 apiece. Chicken and other poultry products too have become costlier due to a delay in monsoon rains and an increase in production cost.

"The prices are similar to those prevailing in winter when consumption rose and production fell. Since March, wholesale prices were at Rs 1.25 to Rs 1.50 due to an increase in production and a drop in demand," said Rajpura-based National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) member Sundeep Mehta.

An increase in production cost has become a concern for the poultry and broiler industry. "The prices of soya used in chickenfeed have touched Rs 34,000 per tonne, a rise of Rs 14,000 in three months. Maize, another important ingredient, has also become costlier at Rs 1,250 per quintal," said NECC Namakkal chairman Dr P Selvaraj.

"With the Centre increasing the minimum support price for maize from Rs 880 to Rs 1,175 per quintal and soya from Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,200 per quintal, egg prices will remain firm," said Andhra Pradesh Poultry Federation president D Sudhakar.