Chitwan, Oct 28: Poultry farmers who had been discouraged due to the drop in egg prices since the first week of Bhadra are now encouraged by the recent price increase. Farmers are finally able to sell eggs close to the cost price.
According to Binod Pokhrel, president of the Nepal Layer Poultry Farmers Association, effective from Monday, the support farm price in Chitwan for large eggs will be set at Rs 500 per crate (30 eggs), medium at Rs 485, and ‘XL’ at Rs 515. In late Srawan, eggs were sold at this same rate, but prices had subsequently dropped to Rs 360 for large eggs, Rs 300 for medium, and Rs 375 for ‘XL’ eggs.
Pokhrel stated that prices have been gradually increasing over the past two weeks. The cost per egg is Rs 16.56. Former chairman of the Poultry Entrepreneurs Forum, Rajendra Lamichhane, mentioned that prices have returned to their previous levels due to a decrease in production and an increase in demand.
Egg production, which was around 3 million daily in early Bhadra, has now dropped to about 2.2 million. According to him, as losses mounted, many farmers were forced out of the business.
Trilochan Kandel, a poultry farmer and former president of the Chitwan Industry Association, explained that farmers had to sell their hens that produced eggs, and new chicks were unable to grow to maturity, resulting in reduced production.
Kandel noted that 75% of farmers have already left the business, with some returning to it. However, he warned that if eggs continue to sell below cost, more farmers may be forced out. “With the increase in egg prices, there is some hope among farmers like us,” he said. #egg #poultry
