Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maharashtra is witnessing an unprecedented spike in egg prices as a severe supply-demand imbalance pushes wholesale rates to an all-time high of over ₹7 per egg. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, consumers are paying nearly ₹8 per piece, leaving households and small food businesses feeling the pinch.
According to officials, the state is currently grappling with a daily shortfall of nearly 1.5 crore eggs, while winter demand has surged to around 3 crore eggs per day. The gap between rising consumption and limited production has led to sharp price escalation across districts.
Shitalkumar Mukane, Additional Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry Department, said the situation has been aggravated by recent outbreaks of bird-related diseases in key supply hubs in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
“Poultry owners in these states avoided replenishing infected bird stocks immediately, which drastically reduced production,” Mukane explained. “With the onset of winter, demand naturally rises, but major egg-producing states are currently unable to meet their supply commitments.”
He added that Maharashtra’s dependence on Tamil Nadu—one of India’s largest egg suppliers—has become a problem this season. As local shortages worsen in the South, outgoing supplies to other states, including Maharashtra, have been significantly reduced.
Despite rising retail prices, some poultry farmers view this as a favourable phase for producers.
“Eggs are giving very good returns right now,” said Feroz Pinjari, a poultry businessman from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. “Good rainfall in the Marathwada region has pushed down corn prices, lowering feed costs.”
He noted that the current wholesale rate of ₹7.10 per egg is distinctly higher than the ₹6.10–₹6.30 range recorded on the same day last year.
Experts also point to shifting consumer habits as a key driver of the surge.
“People are turning to eggs for their nutritional value, convenience, and low risk of adulteration,” said Anita Jinturkar of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra under Vasantrao Naik Agriculture University. “Eggs have become a staple in everyday cooking—from biryani to samosas—and stronger demand is ultimately benefiting poultry farmers.”
As winter progresses, officials expect prices to remain elevated unless production stabilises in the southern states. For now, both consumers and traders are bracing for a costly egg season across Maharashtra.