Poultry producers have raised prices of their products further with the onset of winter and pick-up in retail demand.

The National Egg Coordination Committee (Namakkal zone) has increased the price of an egg by 12 paise to Rs 3.34. Last week, it effected a 33-paise hike to Rs 3.22 (2.87).

Meanwhile, broiler rates are also inching towards record levels as the Palladam-based Broiler Co-ordination Committee (BCC) has increased the rates of cull birds by Rs 9 a kg to Rs 71. Broiler prices touched a record Rs 75/kg in April last year.

Spiralling input costs, pick-up in consumption due to winter and spurt in confectioneries' demand on account of Christmas and New Year are attributed to the rise in prices.

Prices of egg feed are now ruling at Rs 22 a kg against Rs 15 last year and that of broiler feed are at Rs 2,486/75-kg bag against Rs 1,849 last year.“Poultry prices are likely to increase in the coming days because of the approaching New Year festival besides the on-going winter season,” NECC sources said.NECC has slashed layer rates (for birds of 1.3 kg) to Rs 38 (Rs 40) to boost consumption as it is a perishable product.

Namakkal and Palladam prices are the benchmarks for eggs and chicken respectively in the country.

Shipments rise

On the export front, egg shipments from India increased to 736.82 lakh in November this year against 302.28 lakh in the same period last year. This is mainly because of exporters tapping newer markets such as Afghanistan and Morocco.

gayathri.gururajan@thehindu.co.in

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