BENGALURU: WINTER is here. But it’s definitely not the sunny side up for egg lovers this season as eggs get dearer. The prices have seen a record high over the last fortnight with the price per egg touching `6 in retail and `5 in wholesale in Karnataka, a 30 per cent increase from the previous year. The hike is fuelled by an increased demand, especially in North India, coupled with low production.
While the demand for eggs goes up substantially during winter every year, the prices have never been this high, said Manjesh Kumar Jadav, General Secretary of Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association. Between December and February, the demand is high as eggs are a good source of nutrition to cope with winter. “There is no other alternative source for protein in several places, and hence, the consumption goes up during winters,” he said. Further, an increase in production cost has also added to this situation, he added. With labour, electricity and feed cost having gone up, the production cost per egg is nothing lower than `3.60, he informed further. The three major hubs for production in Karnataka are regions near Mysuru, Bengaluru and Hosapete. Eggs are also imported from Namakkal and Tamil Nadu. “Karnataka also exports eggs to North Indian states.
The increase in price is a reflection of the increased demand up North,” said Harish Kumar, owner of Sanjay Farm Products. “Even though the rise in demand will continue at least until the end of February, the prices are unlikely to go up further beyond this, according to those in the industry. Further, the production has been low this year as farmers suffered huge losses the previous year,” Harish added. Last year, the prices were at `3.70 in wholesale and ` 4.70 in retail.
