Egg prices rise up to 50% in India; 48% of households cut purchases, survey finds
A LocalCircles survey of more than 67,000 respondents across 287 districts found 62% saw egg prices rise 10-50% over six months. Higher feed costs and supply disruptions have pushed retail prices to Rs 8.50-Rs 9 per egg, with online prices nearing Rs 14.
What happened
LocalCircles · Indian egg prices have risen sharply, prompting 48% of surveyed households to reduce purchases. Higher poultry-feed costs, maize diversion to
Key facts
- 67,000+ survey responses across 287 districts
- 62% reported egg-price increases of 10-50% over six months
- 84% reported some price increase
- Ex-farm prices rose to about Rs 7 per egg from Rs 4.94 a year earlier
- Retail prices were Rs 8.50-Rs 9 per egg, reaching nearly Rs 14 online
- 48% reduced egg purchase quantity or frequency
- 10% shifted to cheaper alternatives or suppliers
- Feed represents an estimated 65-70% of egg-production costs
- Maize rose to about Rs 26,500 per tonne from roughly Rs 14,000 three years ago
- 16.35 lakh birds died in coastal Andhra Pradesh; daily egg-laying capacity fell nearly 30%
- 90% expressed some concern about egg safety/adulteration
Why this matters
Sustained egg-price volatility strengthens the case for partnerships or acquisitions in cold-chain logistics, poultry supply integration and affordable protein alternatives.
What to watch
- Poultry feed-price movement, especially maize and soybean meal costs.
- Wholesale egg arrivals and reported supply disruptions in major producing regions.
- Egg price gaps between kirana stores, modern trade, and online/quick-commerce platforms.
- Unit sales and repeat-purchase rates for eggs versus pulses, soy, dairy, and chicken.
- Further consumer-survey evidence that reduced egg purchases are persisting beyond one to two buying cycles.
- Government action on feed imports, transport constraints, or food-inflation management.
- Expand private-label or contracted egg sourcing to stabilize availability and reduce spot-market exposure.
- Bundle eggs with complementary staples such as bread, milk, flour, and breakfast products rather than relying on standalone discounts.
- Increase assortment and visibility for low-cost protein substitutes, especially pulses, soy, and entry-price dairy products.
- Use smaller egg pack sizes and targeted loyalty offers to preserve affordability for frequent buyers.
- Monitor quick-commerce price premiums, where prices near Rs 14 per egg may accelerate migration back to neighborhood retailers and traditional markets.