Egg prices drop sharply; new per-crate rates announced

CHITWAN: Egg prices have dropped sharply, with the Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers’ Association announcing revised rates effective from Monday.

Association Chair Binod Pokharel said prices declined due to increased domestic production and the inflow of eggs from India.

Under the new support price, large eggs are priced at Rs 375 per crate (30 eggs), while medium eggs are set at Rs 335 per crate. Previously, on Magh 22, large eggs were priced at Rs 435 per crate and medium eggs at Rs 405. On Magh 11, prices had reached Rs 495 for large eggs and Rs 475 for medium eggs.

Egg prices had peaked in Mangsir, when large eggs were sold at farm gates for as high as Rs 565 per crate, while medium eggs were priced at Rs 550.

Pokharel said the influx of Indian white eggs and higher local production have prevented Nepali eggs from securing fair market prices. He added that the association has been continuously urging government agencies to stop the import of Indian eggs.

The production cost of an egg is Rs 19.12 per piece, bringing the cost price to Rs 574.06 per crate. Farmers have expressed disappointment as prices have fallen again just as they were nearing production cost.

The association issues egg support prices based on rates collected from farms across the country, using Chitwan as the benchmark.