Egg prices rise sharply in Hyderabad amid summer impact

Egg prices in Hyderabad have risen sharply over the past two weeks due to high bird mortality in summer, with farmers citing reduced supply, while chicken prices remain relatively stable despite lower retail demand

Hyderabad: Skyrocketing egg prices are burning a hole in consumers’ pockets, with retail rates jumping by Rs 3 per egg in just a fortnight in Hyderabad.

While eggs were priced at Rs 4 nearly two weeks ago, they have now reached Rs 7 each in the retail market. Prices at retail kirana stores remain uniform across the city, while wholesale shops are selling them at Rs 6.30 each.

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Poultry farmers attribute the swift price hike to rising temperatures and high mortality rates among birds. “In summer, the mortality rate of birds is high in farms and productivity is low. However, the demand for eggs and poultry continues to be the same, and as supply is lower, the prices of eggs and birds are increased at farms to make up the losses,” said a poultry farm owner, who owns a farm in Ranga Reddy district.

Another poultry farm owner pointed out that the mortality rate is 30 per cent higher in summer compared to other months of the year.

Meanwhile, the price of chicken meat is Rs 240 a kilogram in the market, while the live bird is sold for Rs 170 a kilogram.

Mohd Nazeer, a chicken shop owner at Mallepally, said that the prices of chicken have increased only by a few rupees in the last few days. “In summer, people avoid buying chicken for various reasons, so the retail demand is lower. The regular supplies to hotels and caterers are unaffected,” said Nazeer.

The poultry farms are located in the districts of Ranga Reddy, Medak, Sangareddy, Vikarabad, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Siddipet and Mahbubnagar.

In March, egg prices had come down after exports were hit due to the Iran-Israel/US conflict. However, it was for a short period of time.