Egg wholesale prices climb as seasonal demand surges

The Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association has raised wholesale egg prices again, citing a sharp rise in market demand with the festive season underway and winter setting in. The revision comes just six days after the association set its previous support prices at a meeting in Kathmandu on October 23, Onlinekhabar reported.

The new prices were decided at a meeting in Pokhara on Thursday. A crate of extra-large, large or medium eggs now costs Rs 200 more, and a crate of small eggs Rs 100 more. According to the association, a crate of extra-large eggs now costs Rs 3,900 (up from Rs 3,700), large eggs Rs 3,800 (from Rs 3,600) and medium eggs Rs 3,700 (from Rs 3,500). Small eggs, weighing more than 11 kg per crate, now cost Rs 3,200, up from Rs 3,100.

Association Secretary Madan Pokharel told Onlinekhabar that consumption had risen sharply against production as the weather turned cold and the festivals lifted demand, and that the support prices were set to manage supply in line with demand and give farmers a fair price for their production costs.

The association said it had not changed the retail prices consumers pay: large eggs sell at Rs 25 each and medium eggs at Rs 45 for two. It has asked depots, distributors and traders to trade at the newly set prices.

Mixed trends in vegetable markets

In Kathmandu's vegetable market, prices have been mixed. According to the wholesale price list published by the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market Development Committee, as reported by Onlinekhabar, the prices of large tomatoes, red potatoes and dried onions held steady on Friday.

Leguminous vegetables became more expensive. The wholesale price of garden peas (matarkosa) rose from Rs 117 to Rs 135 per kilogram over a day, and green soybeans from Rs 95 to Rs 110. Chillies, including akabare chillies, became cheaper.

The committee publishes a list of minimum wholesale prices every day.