As prices soar, eggs to go off platter too

CHANDIGARH: As if the sky rocketing prices of vegetables were not enough to upset the household budget, the common healthy breakfast, egg, has also got dearer. Catching the cold, your daily egg that earlier cost about Rs 3 will now cost Rs 5.
The price of eggs in the wholesale market has gone up by Rs 15 to Rs 20 for 100 eggs.
About a week ago the rate was Rs 300 per 100 eggs which has now increased to as much as Rs 327 in different parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.In UT, the price of a dozen eggs went up to Rs 60 from Rs 44.
According to poultry farmers, the price has gone up because of the fog and biting cold. While the dipping mercury has affected the laying of eggs, fog is hampering its transportation.
Member of poultry farmers association Jaswant Singh said, “As it is the price of egg goes up in winters because of an increased demand but if transportation gets affected due to fog the prices go up even further.”
He indicated that as visibility drops in coming days the prices are likely to increase more.
While Punjab and Haryana consumes 50 to 60 lakh eggs per day, the region is also responsible for supply of poultry produce to Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Shabir Ahmed, secretary, Poultry Federation of India, “Three months ago the rate was Rs 275-280 for 100 eggs. Fog is hampering the transportation and some times the produce also gets destroyed because of the delay in delivery.”