Egg prices shoot up, poultry farmers upbeat

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 14

Poultry farmers in Punjab and Haryana, who suffered losses in the past two years, are upbeat this time as egg prices have gone up by 20-35 per cent in a month.

In 2015, they had been hit hard by bird flu, while demonetisation had eaten into their profits last year.

Ramesh Khatri, president, Poultry Federation of India, said, “The rates are on the rise as egg production has dropped by 25-30 per cent across India. The northern region is no exception. Stung by past losses, some of the farmers had closed down their farms. Others are not operating to their optimum capacity this current season.”

The average cost of production is Rs 3-3.5 per egg, while it is being sold for at least Rs 5 in the wholesale market. In the retail market, the cost of a dozen eggs has increased from Rs 60-70 to Rs 72-84.

Khatri said many farmers would be able to recover losses, while the big players could even register profits.

The daily production of eggs in the northern states, especially Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, is about 3 crore per day. The demand is around 4.5 crore.

Jodh Singh, zonal chairman (Amritsar), National Egg Coordination Committee, said, “This year has brought respite to farmers. However, since the season has just begun, we can’t say whether the profits will be huge.”

The prices of chicken, however, have not risen in accordance with those of the eggs.