KATHMANDU: Egg prices have increased after a decline in production and a rise in market demand, according to the Layers Poultry Farmers Association of Nepal.
The association has revised the farm gate price of eggs effective from today based on market conditions. Under the new rates, large eggs are priced at Rs 465 per crate (30 eggs), up by Rs 15 from the previous price of Rs 450 per crate.
Similarly, the farm price of medium-sized eggs has been set at Rs 415 per crate, an increase from the previous Rs 400.
According to association chair Binod Pokhrel, egg production has declined due to disease affecting poultry and rising temperatures. At the same time, demand has increased due to growing tourist activity around the Nepali New Year.
He also noted that stricter monitoring along border areas has reduced the inflow of eggs from outside the country, further contributing to the supply shortage.
Egg prices had previously reached a record high in Mangsir last year, when the farm price of large eggs rose to Rs 565 per crate and medium eggs to Rs 550 per crate.
Despite the recent increase, Pokhrel said farmers are still not receiving prices that cover their production costs. The production cost of an egg currently stands at around Rs 19.12 per piece, which translates to approximately Rs 574 per crate.
Farmers have expressed disappointment as egg prices had dropped again after nearing the cost of production. However, the association said it determines a support price based on market conditions and expects prices to gradually move closer to the production cost.
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