Egg, chicken prices unlikely to cool down by this winter

The prices of eggs and chicken that have shot up significantly this summer are unlikely to cool down before the onset of winter owing to supply constraints against growing demand, according to a top poultry industry official.

"There is an unexpected increase in demand for eggs and chicken as more and more people are becoming conscious about health food," National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) Chairperson Anuradha Desai said.

According to NECC, eggs in the northern regions are being sold at Rs 186 per 100 pieces against Rs 153 on May 1 this year, a rise of 21 per cent. The current wholesale prices of chicken have almost doubled to Rs 55 a kg from Rs 30-32 a month ago, according to the data available with the Poultry Federation of India.

In retail markets of New Delhi, the prices of eggs have not gone down below Rs 28-30 a dozen this month, while chicken is being sold at Rs 90-100 a kg.

Desai said the consumption of eggs is currently growing at 15 per cent compared to the normal 8-10 per cent. The demand for chicken has also increased to 30 per cent from the usual 18-20 per cent, she added.