CHITWAN: With a drop in egg production caused by extreme heat, egg prices have now risen close to the cost of production—offering some relief to farmers who have long been operating at a loss.
The Nepal Layer Poultry Farmers Association has set new support prices based on rates recently issued by major agricultural farms involved in egg production. Effective today, the Association has fixed the price of a crate (30 eggs) of large eggs at Rs 495 and medium eggs at Rs 465.
The average cost of egg production in Nepal currently stands at Rs 16.56 per egg. According to the revised rate, farmers will receive about Rs 16.50 per egg for large eggs.
While this is still slightly below the cost price, poultry farmers say it’s a significant improvement from earlier rates and provides some breathing room.
Farms including Daunne, Himchuli, Khilungkali (Janakpur Agro), Subish, Bhijju, and Shivam Layers have set their prices at Rs 3,645 to Rs 3,660 per carton for large eggs and Rs 3,445 to Rs 3,460 for medium eggs.
Binod Pokharel, President of the Nepal Layer Poultry Farmers Association, said the price increase is due to a combination of factors: a reduction in the number of egg-laying hens, rising tourist numbers, and the resumption of schools and colleges.
He explained that production was disrupted as older hens were sold off, farmers were displaced, and the introduction of new chicks was delayed.
“Given the current situation, egg prices are expected to gradually rise,” Pokharel said. “Farmers are optimistic as production now stands at 2.8 to 3 million eggs per day.”
Rajendra Lamichhane, outgoing President of the Poultry Entrepreneurs Forum, echoed this view, noting that prices have increased due to the imbalance between supply and demand. “Farmers may begin to break even in a few days,” he said.
Trilochan Kandel, outgoing President of the Chitwan Poultry Farmers and Industry Association, noted that egg prices had also risen around the same time last year.
However, he warned that if farmers continue to operate below cost, more will be forced to exit the industry. Farmers estimate that egg production has declined by about 25 percent, primarily due to the intense heat.
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