Egg inflation leaves households scrambling, survey finds

The survey based on more than 67,000 responses from household consumers across 287 districts, found that 62% of respondents reported that egg prices had risen by 10-50% or more in the past six months.For a large section of households, eggs have become noticeably more expensive.An egg used to be one of the easiest ways for Indian families to add some protein to a meal without spending too much. But that calculation is changing. With egg prices rising sharply over the past six months, many households say they are now buying fewer eggs or looking for cheaper options.A new survey by LocalCircles, based on more than 67,000 responses from household consumers across 287 districts, found that 62% of respondents reported that egg prices had risen by 10-50% or more in the past six months. Nearly half, or 48%, said they had reduced either the quantity or frequency of their egg purchases.MOST HOUSEHOLDS HAVE SEEN A NOTICEABLE RISE IN EGG PRICESThe survey asked consumers how much egg prices had increased for their household over the previous six months. The question received 21,469 responses.Around 31% of respondents said prices had risen by 10-25%, while another 31% reported an increase of 25-50%. A further 22% said prices had increased by up to 10%, while 16% were unable to estimate the rise. In other words, 84% of respondents reported some increase in egg prices, while 62% said the increase was between 10% and 50%. The survey recorded no respondent who said egg prices had remained unchanged.This means the increase is not simply being felt in a few cities or by a small group of consumers. For a large section of households, eggs have become noticeably more expensive.FEED COSTS ARE PUSHING UP THE PRICE OF EGGS The pressure on egg prices starts well before the product reaches the supermarket or local shop.According to the survey report, feed accounts for around 65-70% of the cost of producing an egg. Maize, which makes up roughly half to 55% of poultry feed, has become considerably more expensive.The report says maize now costs around Rs 26,500 per tonne, compared with about Rs 14,000 three years ago. Soybean meal has risen to around Rs 65,000 per tonne from Rs 40,000, while de-oiled rice bran has increased to Rs 22,000 from Rs 12,000.Overall, poultry feed costs in July 2026 were 15% higher than a year earlier.One factor highlighted in the report is the growing use of maize for ethanol production. Maize supplied to distilleries increased sharply from 8.3 lakh tonnes in 2022-23 to 125.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. The report says around 37% of India's maize crop is now going towards ethanol.This has created a bigger competition for maize between food, animal feed and fuel.HEAT HAS ALSO HIT EGG PRODUCTIONIt is not just higher feed costs that are putting pressure on the market. Supply has also been affected.The report says summer heat killed more than 16.35 lakh birds in the layer belt of coastal Andhra Pradesh. The resulting impact reduced daily egg-laying capacity in the region by nearly 30%.The industry expects supplies to remain under pressure during winter, when demand for eggs traditionally increases.The higher prices are already creating problems for government feeding programmes. In Odisha, schools and anganwadi centres are reportedly paying around Rs 9-10 for an egg, compared with a government-fixed rate of Rs 7.The impact is now visible in household buying habits.Almost half, or 48%, said they had reduced the quantity or frequency of their egg purchases. Another 10% said they had shifted to cheaper alternatives or sources, the survey mentioned.At the same time, 37% said they were continuing to buy the same quantity despite higher prices. Only 5% said they had not experienced a significant increase, while no respondent said they had stopped buying eggs completely.In other words, instead of completely giving up eggs, many families are cutting back. Some are buying them less frequently, while others are searching for cheaper places to buy them.That distinction matters because eggs are widely seen as an affordable source of animal protein. A family that reduces its egg consumption may not necessarily replace those eggs with another, more expensive source of protein.EGG SAFETY IS ANOTHER GROWING CONCERNPrice is not the only issue worrying consumers. The survey also found a high level of concern about the safety and quality of eggs.Around 70% of respondents said they were very concerned about egg adulteration in India, while another 20% were somewhat concerned. Just 4% said they were not much concerned and 2% said they were not concerned at all.That means 90% of surveyed consumers expressed some level of concern about egg adulteration.The concern comes amid scrutiny of antibiotic residues in eggs. The report refers to a laboratory test commissioned by a consumer group in December 2025 that detected traces of nitrofuran metabolites in a batch of branded eggs. Following this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ordered a nationwide surveillance and enforcement drive.FSSAI later clarified that eggs are safe to consume and said claims linking them to cancer risk were misleading and scientifically unsupported.A major concern highlighted in the report is the dominance of loose and unbranded eggs in the Indian market.Consumers buying such eggs generally do not get information such as the date of laying, grade, farm of origin or source. This makes it difficult for buyers to know where the egg came from or trace it back if there is a problem.This becomes more important when prices rise. If households start moving towards the cheapest available eggs, they may also be moving towards products with less information about their origin and quality.WHAT THE SURVEY MEANS FOR HOUSEHOLDSThe findings paint a fairly straightforward picture. Egg prices have risen, households have noticed it and many are responding by buying less.The survey found that 62% of respondents reported a 10-50% increase in egg prices over six months, while 48% said they had reduced their purchases. Another 10% had moved to cheaper sources. At the same time, 70% were very concerned about egg adulteration.The issue, therefore, goes beyond the price of a tray of eggs. For families that depend on eggs as an affordable source of protein, sustained price increases can affect what they put on the dining table.The government has been urged to review the availability of maize for the poultry industry while reassessing ethanol blending targets. The survey has also called for easier maize imports as an interim measure and stronger transparency around egg safety, including information on the date of laying, grade and source on egg trays and cartons.- EndsPublished By: Jasmine anandPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 11:57 IST