Eggs’ Retail Price Touches Rs 8.50 Each, Squeezes Household Budgets

Tirupati: Egg prices have risen sharply in the past few weeks, making one of the cheapest sources of protein more expensive for consumers. The increase put additional pressure on household budgets. It also affected hotels, bakeries and other food businesses that depend on eggs.

Retail egg prices were hovering between 6 and 7 rupees until two weeks ago. They have now gone up to Rs 8 to Rs 8.50 per egg. In Tirupati, the price of a tray of 30 eggs, which cost Rs 180 in the wholesale market a month ago, now ranges from 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 increase is mainly due to decline in production due to severe summer. High temperatures subjected laying birds to heat stress, reducing their egg-laying capacity. Many birds also experience a decrease in overall production during the peak summer months.

Supply has been affected as many farmers delay shifting their herds due to rising production costs. While poultry feed prices, especially corn and soybeans, have risen, electricity, transportation and farm maintenance costs have also increased. Egg prices continued to rise as production decreased and demand remained stable.

D. Somasundaram, a poultry retailer, said, “I have been running a chicken and egg shop at Korlagunta in Tirupati for the last 25 years. I have never seen prices rise this much. There was a similar increase in prices about two years ago. But this lasted only for a few days.”

The increase has affected hotels, tiffin centres, bakeries and fast food restaurants that use eggs in large quantities. Some businesses have increased their prices to manage high input costs. Consumers are upset that the increase has made even a basic source of protein cheaper.

“When vegetables became expensive, we turned to eggs. Now the price of eggs has also increased, making it difficult to manage our monthly budget. Earlier, when eggs were around Rs 5 each, we used to buy a full tray at a time. Now, we only buy what we need,” said C. Radha, a resident of Tirupati.

Poultry traders observe that prices can fall only after egg production increases and supply improves. Until then, they expect prices to remain at current levels. However, traders argue that eggs will become more expensive if demand increases further.