Hyderabad: Industry players said, egg prices that have shot up to around Rs 6-6.50 per piece at the retail end in Telangana in the last few days will continue to bother consumers till January next year, till the demand situation eases. Last year retail egg prices were hovering at around Rs 5 per piece in the state.
"For the last four years, the industry has been going through a rough phase. All over India, around 25%-30% farms have shut down due to lack of working capital, resulting in a supply crunch. This year, the purchasing power has increased in general due to a good monsoon. Moreover, winters have set in early in North India, due to which the egg consumption too has risen. Same scenario is playing out in Telangana too, causing a spike in demand," said Ranjit Reddy, president, Telangana Poultry Breeders Association, while attributing the price rise to a supply crunch and robust demand.
Telangana Poultry Federation president Errabelli Pradeep Kumar Rao pointed out that the rising fruits and vegetable prices too have nudged many towards consuming eggs, pushing up egg prices.
Prices in the state are expected to come down only by December-end or early January, when the demand pressure is expected to ease and supply improved, said Reddy.
He also told that, currently, there is a approximate shortfall of around 50 lakh eggs per day, with supply being around 4 crore and demand being around 4.5 crore in the state.Despite egg prices reigning high, ironically many farmers are struggling to make ends meet.
According to Anil Dhumal, trustee, Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association, egg prices have hit a high nationally. In winters, the demand for eggs generally picks up due to the perception that it helps keep the body warm. As demand picks up, prices also follow the suit.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/