Chitwan. Demand has started increasing after egg production decreases with the heat. Due to the heat, chickens eat less feed, which reduces the size and number of eggs.
According to Dr. Anant Dahal, Associate Professor at the University of Agriculture and Forestry, Rampur, chickens start laying fewer eggs with the heat. Major diseases also appear during this season. He says that the stress caused to chickens due to heat will increase significantly when it rains and humidity increases.
He said, ‘Egg production will continue to decrease.’ He says that production will drop by up to 25 percent when the summer reaches its peak.
Binod Pokharel, central president of the Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association, said that it has become difficult to meet demand after the production has decreased. He says that up to four months ago, 40,000 cartons of eggs were produced daily, but now it has come down to around 28,000.
He says that with the summer, the price of feed has increased and the price of eggs has decreased, so many farmers have sold their chickens and have not been able to keep chicks, which has led to the decrease in the number of eggs. He says that the demand for eggs in the market has increased due to the opening of schools and campuses and the increase in tourists.
With the increase in demand, the price of eggs produced by farmers is increasing.
According to Chairman Pokharel, the price of XL eggs per crate (30 pieces) has been fixed at Rs 460, large at Rs 435 and medium at Rs 385. The price is gradually increasing as the market does not meet the demand. Last year, the price of eggs, which reached Rs 525 per crate (30 pieces), had dropped to Rs 350. Many farmers were forced to sell their egg-laying chickens as prices fell and they could not cover their costs.
The cost price of eggs in Nepal is Rs 16.56 per egg. The number of egg-producing chickens has decreased and demand has increased. Looking at the current situation, it seems that the price of eggs will gradually increase. He said, ‘Farmers are excited after the price of eggs has increased.’
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