Price of eggs shoots up to Rs84 per dozen

[Naveed Yaseen]

Khalid Iqbal
Eggs are being sold at the rate of Rs80 per dozen in different markets of the city. Some shopkeepers are selling them for Rs84 per dozen, revealed a survey conducted by ‘The News’ here on Monday.

Sources informed ‘The News’ that poultry businessmen dip eggs in ‘pinkie’ (Potassium Permanganate) solution to show them as ‘desi’ eggs and sell them for Rs120 per dozen. Some of them change colour of eggshells with tealeaves.

Raja Dilpazir Ahmed, a wholesale dealer of eggs, said that prices increase because of high demand in the market. In summer, eggs were available for Rs36-40 per dozen because of their low demand, but in winter their demand increases manifold, he said. “We are buying eggs from poultry farms at higher rates and selling them with a profit margin in the open market. The price of eggs would reach Rs100-110 per dozen during the peak winter season,” he added.

Customers expressed great concern over the trend of increase in prices of every kitchen item, including eggs. They said that there was no mechanism to control prices.

Niaz Ahmed, a government employee, said that eggs are an absolute must in breakfast these days. Last week, an egg was available for Rs5 but its price jumped to Rs7 in a few days, he said.

Aroosa Tariq, a housewife, said that the city administration should chalk out a mechanism to control prices of kitchen items, which are necessary for maintaining good health.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=209026