Eggs, a cheap source of protein, and poultry chicken have become more expensive in Calcutta, with those in the business attributing the rise to prolonged heat, higher transportation costs and an increase in feed prices.

In several markets across the city, the price of a dozen eggs has risen by ₹6 within a week. Poultry chicken prices have also increased by ₹10 per kilo in many markets.

“A dozen eggs are now selling for ₹78. A week ago, the price was ₹72,” said a trader at a market in Kasba.

At New Market, a crate of eggs containing 30 pieces sold for ₹210 on Friday. “A week ago, it was selling for ₹180,” said a man who bought a couple of crates of eggs on Friday morning.

A resident of Sadandanda Road said the price of eggs and poultry had shot up at Kalighat market, too.

“Eggs sold for ₹7 a piece on Friday. A week ago, the price of one egg was ₹6.50,” said a man in his 60s who was in Kalighat on Friday morning.

Poultry chicken prices too have spiked in markets across Calcutta.

At Kalighat market, the price of a whole chicken was ₹200 a kilo on Friday. A week ago, it was ₹180 a kilo.

“Dressed chicken was selling for ₹120 a kilo. It was ₹100 a kilo a week ago,” he said.

Poultry was selling at a higher price at Haltu and Lansdowne markets, also.

The price rise has surprised many because poultry prices usually stay flat or decrease during summer as the demand slows down.

“There are no weddings or events in summer. People avoid events because of the heat. As a result, the demand for poultry goes down, and the price also drops. A rise in prices in summer is contrary to the usual price movements,” said the expert.

An industry insider said the hike in transportation costs owing to the rise in diesel and petrol prices is one of the factors pushing up the price. “With the rise in diesel and petrol prices, transportation costs have naturally shot up,” said Amitava Maity, an assistant secretary of West Bengal Poultry Federation.

The price of a litre of diesel was ₹92.02 on May 14, the day before the first of four price hikes since then. On Friday, a litre of diesel cost ₹99.82. The price of a litre of petrol was ₹105.45 on May 14. On Friday, it was ₹113.47.

“The heat is also to be blamed. Birds cut down on their usual food intake because of the heat. If they do not eat well enough, they cannot lay eggs,” said Maity.

Dipak Roy, a wholesaler at Lansdowne market, said the prolonged heat has aided the price rise. “The heat causes some bird deaths,” he said.

Maity also blamed a sharp spike in the price of poultry feed for the rise in retail
prices.

“Poultry feeds on corn and soyabeans. The cost of soyabean has risen from ₹45 a kilo to ₹75 a kilo in about a fortnight. Amino acid supplements are also necessary for bird growth. The price of amino acid supplements has also witnessed a sharp spike,” said Maity.