Egg prices touch Rs 90/dozen in Mumbai as input costs rise

MUMBAI: The retail price of eggs has broken all previous records to touch Rs90 per dozen. Across neighbourhoods, rates have increased by Rs10-12 over the past fortnight. This has increased inflationary pressure on not only individual households but also hotels, restaurants and bakers who purchase eggs in bulk.
On Saturday, eggs were selling for Rs90 per dozen in Andheri Lokhandwala and Bandra (W), and Rs84 in Borivli, Dadar and parts of Kurla. In Sion, Vikhroli and Kandivli eggs were sold for Rs78-80. NECC (National Egg Coordination Committee's) published retail rate was Rs78, and vendors typically charge Rs6-10 more. Saturday's wholesale rate was Rs626 per 100 pieces.
Traders blame the cold wave for the increase. Aftab Khan, chairman of the Mumbai Egg Traders' Association, said, "Prices do escalate during winter, yet this is a new record by all means. There is a vast surge in demand, particularly in North India, where the biting cold is driving sales. As a result, a larger portion of regular supplies is being diverted there."
Raju Shewale, vice-president of association, said, "Moreover, the rate of raw materials like soya, corn, maize and other poultry feed has become exorbitant. Magar sale aflatoon hai (But sales are booming)!"
Abdul Kadar Mujawar of House of Eggs, Mahim, was selling English eggs for Rs80 and pure desi eggs for Rs148 per dozen on Saturday. "Given the additional costs we are incurring, the retail rate should have actually been higher. Transporters and labourers refuse to work at old rates since inflation has impacted everyone hard," he said.
Shewale estimated that retail rates will rise to Rs96-100 per dozen.
Traders claim rates will normalize only in the first or second week of February. "Even chicken costs Rs220-260 per kg up from Rs150-180 which was normal for this time of year," said Shabbir Khan, a trader in Kurla.
Meanwhile, households and bakers are anxious by the additional daily burden. "We order eggs by the hundreds given that we bake our confectionery items, breads, muffins, waffles and meringues. We also have an attached restaurant which serves egg and paratha items, rolls and frankies. We are paying Rs10 more per dozen to our vendor, but cannot temporarily increase our menu rates till egg prices normalise in February, can we?" said a Lokhandwala Complex bakery manager.