Mid-day meal workers in Telangana plan to reduce egg servings in government and local body schools because rising egg prices have outpaced government reimbursement. The union has urged the State government to supply eggs directly and increase financial support.
Egg and chicken prices have surged across Telangana due to heavy bird mortality during summer, rising poultry feed costs, and strong export demand. Consumers, bakeries, and eateries are facing higher expenses, while the poultry industry expects prices to remain elevated until supply improves.
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
Egg prices in Karimnagar have risen sharply by Rs 1 to Rs 1.5 per piece, defying the usual decline during Kartika Masam. Poultry deaths, increased exports to other States, and cold storage hoarding ahead of Christmas and New Year are driving the surge. Karimnagar, a major poultry hub producing 75 lakh eggs daily, is facing reduced local supply despite high demand.
Traders are exploiting the situation by raising prices. While some are selling eggs for Rs 6.16 to Rs 7 each, others are charging up to Rs 8 per egg. Despite traders setting their own prices, no government department is intervening. Normally, eggs are priced between Rs 5.30 and Rs 6, with slight increases occurring only in exceptional cases, such as large-scale deaths of layer birds due to disease or extreme weather conditions in summer.
