Feed-cost surge could push branded egg prices to ₹20–25 each

Rising soybean meal and maize costs are prompting poultry farms to cull hens and reduce chick placements, tightening supply. Eggoz and Country Chicken Co. face higher feed, packaging and distribution costs, while regular egg prices in Maharashtra are already up by as much as 40% year-on-year.

— Source publishedMon, 24 Aug, 2026, 15:09 IST·First seen Mon, 24 Aug, 2026, 15:15 IST·Source BL · Consumer & Economy

What happened

Higher soybean-meal and maize costs are forcing Indian poultry farmers to cull hens and cut chick placements, tightening egg supply. Eggoz and Country Chicken

Key facts

  • Branded/speciality eggs may rise to ₹20-25 each
  • Regular eggs retail at ₹7.50-9 each in Maharashtra, up as much as 40% year-on-year
  • Maharashtra daily consumption: 2.2-2.5 crore eggs; local production: 1.2-1.4 crore
  • 40-50% of Maharashtra egg demand relies on interstate supplies
  • Soybean meal rose over 40%, from about ₹45/kg to ₹65-66/kg
  • Farm-level egg production cost increased to ₹5.20-5.50 from ₹4-4.50
  • NECC July suggested prices were 23-39% higher year-on-year across 34 centres
  • Delhi prices rose 38.7%; Pune and Hyderabad 31.2% each; Mumbai 29.8%

Why this matters

The disruption may create partnership or acquisition opportunities in feed sourcing, regional poultry supply and cold-chain distribution for branded egg platforms.

What to watch

  • Soybean meal and maize prices, especially whether soybean meal remains above roughly ₹65/kg.
  • Weekly wholesale egg prices in Maharashtra and other deficit urban markets.
  • Poultry culling rates, chick-placement data and layer-hen inventory trends.
  • Interstate movement costs, heat-wave mortality and disease-related supply disruptions.
  • Price changes and stock availability for Eggoz, Country Chicken Co. and competing branded egg packs on quick-commerce and modern-trade platforms.
  • Consumer trading-down signals: loose-egg sales growth versus branded pack volumes.
  • Eggoz, Country Chicken Co. and peers are likely to implement selective city- and pack-size-based price increases rather than a uniform national hike.
  • Brands may prioritize subscription customers, modern trade and quick-commerce channels where freshness and traceability command a higher premium.
  • Poultry producers may further reduce chick placements, extending the supply impact into the next laying cycle.
  • Retailers and quick-commerce platforms may push value packs, private labels and promotional bundles to protect egg-category volumes.
  • Food-service operators may reformulate breakfast and bakery menus, shrink portions or add egg surcharges if wholesale prices remain elevated.

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