KATHMANDU: Egg prices have surged to their highest level ever, driven by a sharp drop in production. As a result, poultry farmers are finally receiving prices that meet or exceed their production costs.
According to the Nepal Layer Poultry Association, the new support prices have been set based on rates published by various poultry farms.
Effective from Tuesday, the farmers’ rate for large-sized eggs has been fixed at Rs 525 per crate (30 eggs), while medium-sized eggs are priced at Rs 495 per crate.
These rates have been determined based on market conditions in Chitwan, the country’s primary poultry hub, and may vary slightly across regions due to transport costs and local demand.
Association Chairman Binod Pokhrel said that the wholesale selling price has been fixed at Rs 3,855 per peti (seven crates) for large eggs and Rs 3,645 for medium ones.
Previously, the highest price on record for large eggs was Rs 510 per crate, reached in August of last year. “This time, farmers are finally earning at or above the cost of production,” Pokhrel said, noting that the production cost per egg currently stands at Rs 16.56.
The rise in prices is largely attributed to a drop in supply. The number of layer hens has decreased significantly, and many farmers have been unable to introduce new chicks after selling off older birds. This has disrupted the supply chain and limited production capacity.
Though exact figures are unavailable, current daily egg production is estimated to be between 2.8 to 3 million, nearly half of what it used to be. Despite the shortfall in supply, the price increase has brought a wave of optimism to poultry farmers, many of whom have struggled with losses in recent years.
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