Hubballi: Egg prices, which had risen to Rs 8 per egg, have now dropped to around Rs 6, bringing relief to consumers and govt school teachers who had been bearing additional costs beyond the govt-sanctioned rate.With many people avoiding eggs during the Shravana month and the Ganesha festival, demand has declined even as supply has remained steady. Egg consumption among schoolchildren has also fallen during the festive period, further reducing demand.Nagaraj Pattan, an egg wholesaler in Vidyanagar, Hubballi, said the prices had not actually crashed but had merely returned to normal levels. “It is true that the price had risen to Rs 8 per egg before the Shravana month. As many people avoid consuming eggs during Shravana and the Ganesha festival, prices have now returned to normal,” he said.According to the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) price chart, egg prices in the Hosapete zone stood at Rs 510 per 100 eggs on Sept 1 and have remained largely stable this month. However, in the Mysuru zone, prices increased from Rs 575 to Rs 610 per 100 eggs during the same period.In the Hosapete zone, the average price was Rs 508.1 per 100 eggs in Sept. Prices had surged to Rs 650.1 per 100 eggs in July, when retail rates touched Rs 8 per egg. Ningappa Kaladagi, who runs an omelette stall near the Old Bus Stand in Hubballi, said the price drop had brought limited relief.“Of course, it is a positive development for us. However, the irony is that customer footfall remains low because it is the Shravana month,” he said.While many teachers have welcomed the fall in prices, they remain concerned about a possible increase after the festive season. Basavaraj Gurikar, national president of the All-India Primary School Teachers’ Federation, said the reduction had only marginally eased the burden on teachers.“The govt provides Rs 6 per egg, including transportation charges. If prices rise again, teachers will continue to pay the difference from their own pockets. The govt should revise the allocation to Rs 10 per egg, including transport costs,” he said, adding that a memorandum had already been submitted to the govt.Sources in the poultry industry said egg prices typically decline during Shravana but begin rising in Oct and usually peak in Dec. “This year, retail prices could touch Rs 9 per egg by Dec, as drought conditions may affect egg production,” they said.
