The procurement price of eggs in Namakkal district has risen, with the egg price increasing by 90 paise in the past five days, leading to higher prices in the retail market.
Namakkal, known as an “egg town,” is home to over 1,100 poultry farms, providing employment to thousands of people. Every day, these farms produce six crore eggs, which are distributed to various regions in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Additionally, eggs from Namakkal are exported to countries such as Muscat, Dubai, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Moreover, over 40 lakh eggs from Namakkal poultry farms are procured for the Noon Meal Scheme. The National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) in Namakkal determines the price of eggs based on supply and demand, setting the procurement price on a daily basis.
As the schools closed for summer holidays, egg deliveries to the schools stopped in April. Additionally, high temperatures in various districts affected egg consumption. On April 29, the procurement price of eggs was reduced to ₹4.10. However, after the onset of rain, the price began to rise in Namakkal. The procurement price of eggs, which stood at ₹4.60 on June 7, increased sharply. Within five days, the price rose to ₹5.50 on Wednesday. As a result, the price of an egg in the retail market now ranges from ₹6.50 to ₹7.
Poultry farm owners report an increase in egg consumption with the arrival of rainfall and a decrease in temperature. Eggs have also been supplied to the Noon Meal Scheme, as schools opened on June 10. With the approaching Bakrid festival, the demand for eggs is increasing. “So in the coming days, egg prices will increase further and we are expecting the procurement price of eggs to cross ₹6 this time,” poultry owners added.
