Eggs-orbitant Rise

1. Egg production (in billion): 2015-16: 82.93 → 2024-25: 149.11
2. Per capita availability (eggs per person): 2015-16: 65 → 2024-25: 106
3. Top producing states (share of total): Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, Karnataka — 64% combined
4. Production by source (2024-25): Commercial farms (improved fowls): 82.4% of total output

Eggs, long considered the most affordable source of protein for the common man, have become significantly more expensive across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, triggering concern among consumers and small traders alike. Retail egg prices have touched an unprecedented high of Rs 8 per egg, a sharp jump from Rs 5-Rs 6 just a few months ago, while wholesale prices have crossed Rs 7.30 per egg, reflecting the severity of the supply crunch.

The impact is clearly visible in wholesale markets. A tray of 30 eggs, which until recently sold for Rs 160-Rs170, is now priced between Rs 210 and Rs220 at the wholesale level. In retail outlets, prices are even steeper. Country chicken eggs are being sold at Rs14-Rs15 per egg, further straining household food budgets.

Poultry industry representatives attribute the sudden spike primarily to a sharp decline in production, driven by rising input costs and lingering effects of earlier disruptions. “There is a clear mismatch between demand and supply. Feed prices, especially maize, soy and fish meal, have increased drastically, forcing many small and medium poultry farmers to shut down or scale back operations,” said Bharani, an egg wholesaler in Vijayawada.

According to industry estimates, the undivided Telugu states earlier produced nearly eight crore eggs per day. However, escalating production costs over the past year have led to the closure of several poultry farms in Andhra Pradesh, causing a steep fall in daily output.

The situation has been further complicated by the after-effects of bird flu outbreaks reported earlier. During those periods, consumer demand collapsed due to fear and misinformation, forcing farmers to incur heavy losses. “When bird flu was reported, prices crashed and farmers suffered badly. Many never recovered from those losses and exited the business altogether. Now, when demand has returned, production is not sufficient,” said Shekar Babu, a senior poultry farmer from West Godavari.

Traders state that prices may remain elevated for at least another two months. “The current wholesale price of Rs 7.30 and retail price of Rs 8 is the highest ever in the history of the poultry trade. Unless production normalises, there is little chance of prices coming down in the near term,” David Raju, Secretary of AP Poultry Market Association said.

For now, consumers in Andhra Pradesh are being forced to rethink their daily protein choices, as even the humble egg slips out of the affordable food basket.

Four southern states produce over half of India’s eggs

India’s egg production has grown nearly 80% in the past decade, reaching 149 billion eggs in 2024-25. The sector remains highly concentrated, with five southern states producing nearly two-thirds of all eggs. While commercial farms dominate output, backyard poultry continues to support rural food security. Per capita availability has improved to 106 eggs a year, but wide regional gaps persist.

Roz Khao Ande!

While people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have access to over 500 eggs per year, residents in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have access to fewer than 30. According to ICMR, an individual should consume 180 eggs per year.