Egg prices are skyrocketing as winter sets in, and Christmas draws near. At the start of November, the wholesale price of 100 eggs was Rs 600; now, it is Rs 650. The scarcity of maize is the primary factor driving up egg costs. Known as ‘The Egg Bowl of India,’ Andhra Pradesh leads the country in production but trails behind in consumption. The majority of its output is exported to other countries or states. In India, the per capita egg consumption has doubled in the last 20 years and multiplied 100 times in the last 60 years. Due to winter demand, rising feed costs, and exports to Bangladesh and Malaysia, egg prices have increased not just in the Telugu states but also across India.
In November and December, around 50 million eggs were ordered for export to these nations. According to Sources, a member of one of the poultry groups, egg costs in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh went up by almost 20% in a matter of weeks, going from Rs 6 to Rs 7 per piece. Over the last three years, the price of maize, a crucial component of chicken feed, has doubled from Rs 14 to Rs 28 per kilogram, resulting in a 30% increase in input expenses. Inflation in feed costs caused egg prices to rise nationwide, with retail prices hitting Rs 7.5 per unit and wholesale rates at Rs 6.5 per piece. Corn production must be raised by at least 40%, or free imports must be permitted. Between November 2023 and December 2024, the average wholesale price of eggs increased from Rs 585 per 100 to Rs 650. (Source-TimesofIndia)