AMID record-breaking rallies in the prices of gold and silver, a seemingly unrelated, everyday staple is mirroring this sharp ascent, the humble egg. A surge in winter demand has pushed egg prices to unprecedented levels, affecting breakfast tables and monthly budgets alike.

 

The worst affected are the housewives who are fighting rising inflation on all fronts. Egg prices in the city have hit a record high of Rs 7 per piece in the wholesale market, due to a steep rise in winter demand and supply constraints. In retail, egg prices have surged to Rs 8 to Rs 9 per piece depending on the locality. One of the leading wholesale traders of eggs Paresh Bobde, Baba Eggs located at Mahatma

 

Fule Market told The Hitavada that demand for eggs has surged from the past month. “A month ago, we used to see the arrival of 8-9 lakh pieces of eggs every day here in the Mahatma Fule wholesale market. But now, its number has gone up to 14-15 lakh pieces per day,

 

” he said. “The recent surge in egg prices is basically driven by the seasonal increase in demand due to the onset of winter. This is a common yearly trend. In cold weather conditions, people consume more eggs. Moreover, as the festive season is over, demand for it has further gone up,” he said. Eggs are supplied here by poultry farmers based in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and other states while the dealers based in

 

Fule Market supply it in various parts of the city and nearby places like Kamptee, Ramtek, Umrer, Katol, Butibori, etc. Some of the dealers are also supply it to retails in adjoining places in Madhya Pradesh. Dealers predict that the prices are likely to remain high till January. Another dealer said that the egg consumption has witnessed a sharp increase in the country in recent months. According to a Government report, about 83 per cent of the population of the country are non vegetarian. A large number of people consume eggs to boost their immunity, therefore the demand for eggs is increasing every year in the country.