Egg, chicken prices stay under pressure amid weak demand

Mysuru: The poultry industry, a key support for the rural economy, continues to reel under price fluctuations, with egg prices remaining low amid weak exports to West Asian countries, school closures and rising temperatures.Demand for chicken has also fallen by nearly 10% following the closure of food carts amid the LPG crisis.According to National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) data, egg prices, which slipped to Rs 425 for 100 eggs in the last week of March, have recovered marginally to Rs 460 per 100 eggs in the wholesale market. The price has been fixed at Rs 72 for 12 eggs. However, customers said eggs are sold at Rs 4.5-5 each in villages, while urban consumers pay Rs 5 per egg.Venkatesh, a farmer from Devalapura village and proprietor of a poultry farm, said multiple factors had pushed prices down. "Lack of export, the summer season and the absence of demand for eggs in school mid-day meals have resulted in low rates," he said.NECC zonal president Satish Babu said prices are expected to recover after May 15, with the arrival of pre-monsoon rainfall.Chicken prices are also under pressure due to war-induced factors. Consumers said rates have dropped by Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kilogram compared to earlier days.Manjesh Kumar Jadhav, general manager, Venkateshwara Hatcheries, said chicken consumption has declined by around 10% — about 2 lakh kg — due to the closure of food carts across the state following the LPG crisis. He said daily sales in the state stand at 13 lakh birds, amounting to 27–28 lakh kg of chicken. "The price earlier was Rs 140 to Rs 145, which has now fallen to Rs 106," he said.Citing examination season and food cart closures, Jadhav said these factors had contributed to the dip in prices. "But now it is picking up," he added.