Karachi; Artificial shortage of eggs in the city, fear of price increase in winter

Karachi: Even before the arrival of winter, there has been an artificial shortage of eggs in Karachi, the supply of eggs is decreasing at bakeries and shops, while at the retail level, eggs are being sold at Rs 360 per dozen instead of the fixed price of Rs 290 by Commissioner Karachi.

According to the shopkeepers, the supply of eggs from the farm is less than 50% and the demand-supply gap seems to be worsening even before the arrival of winter, resulting in price hike.

To ensure supply of eggs at low prices to the public and to prevent illegal profiteering, it is necessary to crack down on artificial scarcity by hoarding eggs, otherwise eggs may become scarce in winter and prices may rise further.

The wholesale price of a box of 30 dozen eggs has exceeded 9900 rupees, the wholesale price of eggs is 320 to 330 rupees per dozen, poultry farmers are selling eggs at an arbitrary price, it is impossible to sell at the fixed price of Commissioner Karachi.

Eggs are being sold at 340 to 360 rupees per dozen in different areas of Karachi, there is a disruption in the supply of eggs to bakeries and shops due to which eggs are not available in most of the shops.

During the survey by Express, it was revealed that most of the shops are selling small size eggs which are cheaper from the farm due to lower weight than average size eggs while charging premium price for large size eggs. is being done

People associated with the poultry business say that the poultry business has been suffering from crisis for the past two years, in fact, since the floods in the country, the poultry industry has not been able to recover, sometimes due to the shortage of dollars, sometimes due to the high cost of imported feed. The industry was in crisis as the feeds never got clearance from the port.

In the recent situation, the cost of production of eggs has increased significantly due to increase in the cost of poultry, medicines, wages of workers, transport.

On the other hand, investors who suffered losses in poultry have shifted to other sectors, which is the reason why investment to meet the demand for eggs has decreased and the gap between supply and demand in the market has widened.

The wholesalers and retailers of chicken eggs in Shahabuddin Market of Sadar area say that at the wholesale level, eggs are being sold at 320 rupees per dozen. Farmers are not ready to supply eggs at the fixed price and vendors face disciplinary action.

According to the shopkeepers, the profit of the shopkeepers in retail and wholesale of eggs is negligible, if a profit of 500 rupees is obtained by selling one box of eggs, then 2 to 300 rupees are spent on daily expenses and the shopkeepers barely gets a profit of Rs.200 per patti.

Heavy fines of 20,000 rupees are being imposed by the city administration on the shopkeepers working on such a small profit. Businesses will prefer to close, which will make it difficult to meet the demand for eggs in winter.

Farm eggs are sold by weight, at the wholesale level the eggs are graded by size and small size eggs are currently selling at Rs 280 per dozen at the wholesale level and Rs 340 per dozen at dairies and bakeries. Being sold by the dozen.

Compared to farm eggs, the price of domestic eggs has not increased so much, domestic eggs are being sold at a price of 40 to 45 rupees per egg. Free-range eggs and other free range eggs include eggs from chickens raised in free-range and free-range environments, which are more nutritionally beneficial than free-range eggs.

According to the vendors, duck eggs are also used to meet the additional demand of chicken eggs in winter. They are picky eaters and their diet is more than that of chickens.

Sources in the poultry industry revealed that the main reason for the increase in prices is the stocking of chicken eggs, which are stocked two to three months in advance for the winter, which are brought to the market when the rate rises.

According to experts, eggs can be used for 2 to two and a half months at 24 degrees Celsius and if the temperature is kept lower, the shelf life of eggs increases, eggs can be used easily for two weeks at room temperature. They remain usable for 20 to 24 days if kept in the refrigerator.

Large storages have also been built in suburban areas and farms for egg storage and due to stocking, the supply of eggs in the market is decreasing, which is causing imbalance in supply and demand and tending to increase the price.

Chicken eggs also have a difference between fresh and old eggs, even if old eggs are not spoiled, their nutrition and quality will decrease. According to experts, the natural moisture found in eggs decreases with time, which makes the eggs dry and hard inside.

Freshness of eggs is judged by the sound of moisture burning in the oil in case of frying, in case of boiling the yolk of old eggs with less moisture will turn grayish in color.