Egg prices in Maharashtra have surged to record highs due to heatwaves, supply drops, and monsoon delays. Explore the causes, impact, and what's next.
Egg Prices Soar in Maharashtra: What's Causing the Surge in 2025?
Eggs—a staple in many Indian households—are now turning into a luxury item in parts of Maharashtra. In the past few weeks, prices have jumped to ₹90–₹117 per dozen, shocking both consumers and food businesses.
From Pune to Mumbai and even in smaller cities, the surge in egg prices is hitting daily budgets and raising serious questions:
Why are egg prices rising? Who is affected? And when will things return to normal?
Let’s break down the reasons behind this sudden spike and explore the bigger picture.
Current Egg Prices: How Bad Is It?
As of late June 2025:
Wholesale rate: ₹78–85 per dozen
Retail rate in cities like Mumbai/Pune: ₹90–100 per dozen
Online prices (Swiggy Instamart, Blinkit, etc.): ₹110–₹117 per dozen
Earlier average (April 2025): ₹60–65 per dozen
That’s a 30–40% increase in just over a month!
In many areas, local vendors are reporting record-low supply and blaming the heat, transport costs, and poultry deaths as key factors.
Reason #1: Intense Summer Heat Affected Poultry
The most direct reason for the supply crunch is unbearable heatwaves across Maharashtra.
Temperatures crossed 45°C in many districts
High heat led to mortality in layer hens (the ones that lay eggs)
Egg-laying rate dropped significantly due to heat stress
Feed intake and water consumption among birds fell drastically
Poultry farms in regions like Nashik, Sangli, and Satara reported up to 25% reduction in daily egg output.
Reason #2: Monsoon Delay & Transport Disruptions
Monsoon is crucial for stabilizing animal health and feed conditions. But in 2025:
The southwest monsoon arrived 9 days early, but uneven rainfall disrupted logistics
Rural roads in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada became difficult for poultry feed and egg delivery
Farmers held back production or delayed transport fearing spoilage
Result? Eggs didn't reach mandis on time, especially in urban markets like Mumbai and Thane.
Reason #3: Rise in Poultry Feed Prices
Another root cause is the spike in poultry feed costs, driven by:
Global grain prices rising
Soybean and maize shortages in domestic markets
Input inflation due to transportation and electricity bills
With higher costs and lower output, many small poultry owners temporarily reduced flock sizes—further squeezing supply.
Reason #4: Export Demand and Supply Diversion
India’s egg exports to countries like the UAE, Oman, and African markets have increased sharply post-2023.
Bulk orders from the Middle East meant fewer eggs in domestic markets
Large poultry producers prioritized high-paying overseas clients
Local retail markets bore the brunt of diverted supply
This adds to the already squeezed availability.
Who Is Affected the Most?
1. Middle-Class Households
Eggs are a cheap source of protein. With prices crossing ₹100/dozen, many families are being forced to cut consumption.
2. Street Food Vendors & Restaurants
From anda bhurji stalls to bakeries and thalis, eggs are essential. Many eateries report a 10–15% cost hike in their operations.
3. Online Grocery Buyers
Apps like BigBasket and Blinkit are showing premium pricing due to surge + delivery fees.
4. Small Poultry Farmers
While some are making better margins, others suffered from bird deaths, feed costs, and can't meet new demand.
What Can Be Done?
1. Government Intervention
State and central government bodies can stabilize prices by:
Releasing feed subsidies
Temporarily reducing export volumes
Providing emergency cooling and infrastructure support for poultry farms
2. Cold Chain Strengthening
A major issue is spoilage and transport delay. Investing in refrigerated vans and egg cold storage would help stabilize supply in urban hubs.
3. Promotion of Local Production
Encouraging micro-poultry units in peri-urban and rural zones could reduce dependency on large farms.
4. Consumer Awareness
It’s important for consumers to understand this is a temporary surge and avoid panic buying, which worsens the price spike.
Egg prices may begin stabilizing within 15–20 days, once:
Monsoon settles across all regions
Supply from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu resumes
Chicken health improves due to cooler temperatures
Some predict that by mid-July 2025, we may see prices return to ₹65–₹75 per dozen.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for the Egg Supply Chain
This price surge is more than just a seasonal inconvenience. It reveals the fragility of our food supply chains—especially when extreme weather, inflation, and logistics collide.
Eggs are a daily essential for millions, and a spike like this impacts nutrition, business, and the broader economy. It’s time for both policymakers and the private sector to invest in sustainable poultry farming, smart cold chains, and fair trade systems.
Until then, the humble egg might stay out of reach for many homes across Maharashtra.
suggested reading
1.Bird Flu Outbreak 2025: How It’s Affecting Indian Poultry Farmers
2.AI Revolutionizes Weed Control on Farms: The Future of Smart Farming is Here
