Farm-gate egg price rises to ₹5.80 as winter demand builds

The farm-gate price of eggs in the Namakkal zone has risen to ₹5.80 an egg, up 35 paise in ten days, as demand from other states picks up with the onset of the cooler months, poultry farmers in the Rasipuram area said. Retail prices in town have followed, with eggs selling at ₹6.50 to ₹7 each in provision shops, or ₹190 to ₹200 for a tray of 30. Prices are expected to stay firm through November. Farmers welcomed the rise after a lean summer, but said the cost of maize and soya meal for feed remains high. Several farms are also investing in better ventilation and egg-cooling rooms to cut losses during transport. Lorry operators reported a steady increase in egg consignments to Kerala and the north-eastern states over the past fortnight.