July 10, 2010

India's egg prices increase amid rains in the North

Heavy rains in the North and a cut in production have resulted in egg prices rising across the country.

Poultry prices are set to rise further in the coming days on account of onset of monsoon in the North.

Lower supply and production, spiralling input costs and sudden demand due to cold weather in northern parts of the country are seen as the reasons for increase in prices.

"The prevailing weather in northern parts of the country has increased the egg consumption, pushing up the prices," National Egg Co-ordination Committee's (NECC) Namakkal zone chairman, Dr P. Selvaraj said.

In Namakkal, egg prices were quoted at INR2.65 (US$0.057) a piece at the start of the week and on Thursday (Jul 8) it was quoted at INR2.60 (US$0.056). The Palladam-based Broiler Co-ordination Committee has fixed the rates of cull birds at INR52 (US$1.11) a kg, up INR4 (US$0.09) over last week. "Prices are likely to move up in the coming days because of the weather conditions in the North," NECC sources said.

Meanwhile, NECC's layer rates (for birds of 1.3 kg) have increased this week to INR47 (US$1.01) from INR42 (US$0.9) a kg last week.