BELAGAVI
Leading poultry farmers and breeders in Karnataka have expressed surprise that retail prices of eggs have touched the Rs 100 mark per dozen in Goa.
Many of the poultry farm owners in Belagavi region have also opined that the National Egg Coordination Council (NECC) should keep a close watch on the sharp rise in retail prices of eggs and that the retailers should not take undue advantage of the rising demand in the market.
They were speaking to The Goan following concerns after egg prices soared to Rs 100 in Goa amid shortages.
According to a report in The Goan, Panaji has witnessed egg prices jump from Rs 96 to Rs 100. While retailers buy at Rs 70 per dozen and sell at Rs 100 due to high demand and rising costs, wholesalers sell at Rs 84 per dozen, struggling with limited supply from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
They claim that Goa is fully dependent on imported eggs and that, increased exports to the Gulf and Sri Lanka are driving local prices higher.
“Though there is some effect of exports of eggs to Gulf and Sri Lanka on prices, there is no reason why the retail prices of eggs should touch the Rs 100 mark per dozen in Goa,” said NECC Chairman (Hospet Zone) and noted entrepreneur in poultry industry of Karnataka M S R Prasad.
“At any given time even under the current situation, the retail prices should not exceed Rs 96 a dozen,” said MSR Prasad, who is also the member of Karnataka Poultry Farmers and Breeders Association (KPFBA).
“Yes, there is indeed a rise in exports to some nations, but the rising demand during winter leads to rise in prices because, we are supplying the same quantity of eggs to Goa on regular basis and even more when required.”
“We are supplying the eggs at around Rs 80 per dozen currently, while the wholesalers might add their profit margin. Despite that the rates should not exceed Rs 96 per dozen," said Prasad, whose Kittur Chennamma Poultry Farm group supplies about 10 lakh eggs per day to Goa.
He also said that the rates are likely come down to around Rs 75 per dozen by January next year.
Sanjeev Deshpande, director of Kwality Animal Feeds Pvt Ltd and producer and supplier of Belchick brand of chicken, said that at any given time the production doesn't fluctuate.
“Many times we have to supply chicken and eggs in loss waiting for the right season. It is purely the market dynamics which controls the prices of eggs and chicken in the market,” Deshpande said.
Added an egg retailer, Javeed Gove: “The retail rate of eggs in Belagavi on Monday was Rs 700 for 100 and Rs 90 per dozen. Currently we get eggs at around Rs 650 to Rs 675 per 100, while we are selling it at Rs 90 per dozen.”
