Eggs prices in twin cities reach Rs 400 per dozen

ISLAMABAD: In the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the price of a dozen eggs has reached an unprecedented high, soaring to Rs380-400, fueled by escalating demand amid the harsh winter conditions.

The economic strain resulting from these exorbitant prices has compelled numerous urban families to adjust their purchasing habits, opting for smaller quantities ranging from two to six eggs, attributing their choices to financial constraints.

This surge in egg prices has particularly impacted the labour class, predominantly men who frequent small hotels for their breakfast, predominantly consisting of anda paratha. The daily expenses for this meal have skyrocketed to over Rs150, causing many to rethink their breakfast choices, resorting to simpler options like a cup of tea and paratha.

Frustration has risen among consumers who argue that the government’s measures have fallen short in curbing the inflation in egg prices, leaving them at the mercy of poultry farmers and retailers.

The latter, in turn, point fingers at the rising cost of chicken feed and smuggling as the primary driver behind the sharp escalation in rates.

In a stark departure from the past, where a single egg would fetch Rs20-25 during winters, the current season has witnessed a historic high, breaching the Rs30 per egg threshold.

Read More: Increase in the price of Chicken meat and Eggs

Meanwhile, the poultry prices remain unyielding, with retailers seemingly elusive to the concerns of consumers.

According to retailers the demand for eggs usually crawls up by 15 per cent in winters but problem is now decline in supply of eggs of same percentage in the market.

As families grapple with the financial strain imposed by these inflated egg prices, the need for swift and effective intervention becomes increasingly apparent.