July 14, 2025

 

Egg prices spiked, chicken prices fell in Kolkata, India, during monsoon period

 

 

In an unusual turn of trends this monsoon, egg prices shot up, while chicken prices dropped significantly across Kolkata, India, and its fringes, The Times of India reported on July 13.

 

The reversal in the cost of two of the most consumed protein sources left both consumers and poultry traders surprised.

 

According to wholesale traders, egg prices rose to ₹8 (US$0.10) per piece a week earlier—among the highest in recent months—before settling slightly at around ₹7.50 (US$0.09) per piece.

 

In contrast, chicken prices, which usually remain high during this season, slumped to ₹140–160 (US$1.69–1.93) per kilogramme in suburban areas and ₹180–190 (US$2.17–2.29) in city markets like Gariahat and Lake Market. In some localities, deskinned chicken is now available at ₹130–140 (US$1.57–1.69) per kg, a steep fall compared to last month.

 

Industry insiders point to a combination of weather extremes, religious trends, and supply chain fluctuations behind the price shift.

 

"Egg prices usually go up in the monsoon due to increased demand," said Hafizul Rehman, a major layer farm owner in Nadia. "But this year, the spike was sharper due to extreme heat in egg-producing districts like Nadia and Murshidabad, which led to a drop in egg-laying, coupled with rising feed costs."

 

He also attributed part of the volatility to the recent bird flu scare, which discouraged many farmers from continuing chicken production and led to reduced egg supply.

 

On the other hand, the monsoon months of Ashar and Shravan—observed in large parts of Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam—typically see a drop in meat consumption due to religious observances, said Madan Maity, general secretary of the West Bengal Poultry Federation. This seasonal slump in demand, coupled with the dumping of chicken from neighbouring states, led to supply exceeding demand, pushing prices further down.

 

Live chicken is now selling at ₹130 (US$1.57) per kg, almost ₹80–90 (US$0.96–1.08) cheaper than pre-monsoon levels.

 

A senior poultry federation official said: "The religious abstention from meat during Shravan and the lingering impact of the bird flu rumours impacted consumer confidence."

 

Interestingly, the urban-rural price divide is more pronounced this time. While high-end city markets touched ₹200–220 (US$2.41–2.65) per kg for premium cuts a few weeks earlier, prices have since dropped, especially in outer districts where chicken is available at ₹140-150 (US$1.69–1.81).

 

As supply chains remain unpredictable and consumption patterns shift with seasonal and cultural cycles, poultry stakeholders are bracing for continued price swings in the coming weeks.

 

- The Times of India