The prices of eggs have increased in Nepal with the decline in production and a surge in demand.
The Nepal Layers Poultry Breeders Association—representing egg producers nationwide—has announced new support prices effective from today, June 25.
The farm-gate price in Chitwan, a key production hub, has been set at Rs 480 per crate for large-sized eggs and Rs 450 for medium-sized eggs, reflecting a Rs 30 increase per crate (30 eggs).
Association President Binod Pokharel said the price hike was driven by falling production and increased demand. “Four months ago, around 40,000 cartons of eggs were produced daily. Now, it has dropped to 28,000 to 30,000 cartons per day,” he said.
Dr. Ananta Dahal, Associate Professor at the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) in Rampur, attributed the decline in production to rising temperatures. “Higher temperatures reduce the feed intake of egg-laying hens, leading to a production drop of around 25 percent,” he said.
He added that this season also brings a higher risk of disease, and increased humidity due to rainfall causes heat stress among chickens, further affecting egg output.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bijay Kumar Shrestha, Head of the National Poultry Disease Research Laboratory in Bharatpur, said lab tests on samples from Chitwan and nearby districts confirmed the presence of H9 (or H9N2) avian influenza in 50 poultry farms. -- RSS
