Mangaluru: Egg prices have fallen sharply across Karnataka, after West Asia crisis disrupted exports to Gulf countries, overturning the usual summer pattern in which rates rise as heat reduces production, according to the National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC).The wholesale price of an egg in Dakshina Kannada stood at Rs 5.4 on Friday, down from around Rs 7.6 before the crisis began. Suppliers said prices fell after the disruption and could soften further if export channels remain blocked. Industry representatives said the biggest reason for the decline was the sudden halt in shipments to gulf countries, a major overseas market. MP Satish Babu, zonal chairman of the NECC, said the region normally exports between 80 lakh and 1 crore eggs a day to Gulf countries. With cargo movement affected by the ongoing crisis, there is a sharp drop in demand, as compared to the pile of available stock in the domestic market.The export disruption has been compounded by weaker local consumption, which has also come down due to the school vacations, and examination season. There is a dip in the market due to the Ramzaan fasting also colliding with schoolexams and holidays, reducing the consumption of eggs is midday meals scheme, which is also a huge local market for traders.Babu said the NECC egg price had dropped to Rs 3.5 before recovering at Rs 4.4. He added that some producers have moved eggs into cold storage, while others have sold off their egg-laying hens to limit losses amid the prolonged slump. At the same time, input costs for hatcheries have risen, increasing pressure on the poultry sector.Local traders said market remains weak despite a slight recovery in prices. Alwyn Pinto, president of DK Kannada Egg Suppliers’ Association and head of Kanchana Ganga Trading, said the current trend is unusual for summer. Normally, prices rise during hotter months due to a drop in the production. But this year, excess supply and poor demand has kept rates under.He said that although the actual wholesale price had touched Rs 5.5, dealers kept it 10 paise lower to clear stock and stay competitive. Traders expect low prices to persist until exports to Gulf countries resume and demand improves in both domestic and overseas markets.
