Eggs at all time high of Rs.60 a dozen in Mumbai… 28-02-2019, by , 9 Comments 4 Views Egg suppliers seldom run out of ingenious excuses for icncreasing prices. The cost of this modest breakfast item has hit Rs 60 per dozen in retail markets, apparently due to delayed monsoon and the heat wave. Last time it reached this level in November 2013, when traders blamed the cold weather and Christmas demand. This past week, consumers in Bandra, Andheri, Gowalia Tank and are being charged Rs 60 per dozen over Rs 55-56. The poultry market is managed & controlled by a prominent politician from the state who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). With no ostensible reason other than scanty rainfall and rising costs of chicken feed, consumers are upset that the government is ignoring the price rise in this segment. Anwar Hussain, a wholesale trader in Juhu, said, “There is no deficit in production. NECC along with farmers is jointly raising the cost of eggs as a predetermined policy. Farmers of Andhra Pradesh are being offered up to Rs 3.20 per egg, stating the rising cost of chicken feed. Once you add all the expenses such as the transportation cost, commission paid to agents as well as breakage and wastage, consumers in Mumbai end up paying Rs 5 per piece. Egg used to be a staple of a common man on the street, if he was hungry he used to buy two eggs and four-pav. With each piece of egg costing Rs 5, how can a family of 4 have a meal of eggs” Hussain’s shop sells eggs for Rs 50 per dozen, Rs 10 lower than the retail rate. “All traders are not following the high rate determined by NECC. Friday’s NECC rate was Rs 393 for 100 pieces but he has been selling for Rs 380-385,” he said. Nevertheless, most traders are happy to play along. Aftab Ahmed Khan, (chairman, Mumbai Egg Traders Association) at first denied prices have shooted. When TOI compared the Rs.4 difference between June 24 and July 4, Khan said, “It is the delayed monsoon which has caused production in Andhra Pradesh to fall and prices will remain high until August.” Nasir Ahmed of Naseer Eggs, a big player, first said this was a seasonal hike, then contradicted himself by saying prices will not drop for the next 4 months.