Kathmandu. Entrepreneurs have increased the support price due to the increase in demand for eggs. Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers’ Association has increased the support price of eggs to be effective from Tuesday.

According to the association, the support price of XL egg has been fixed at Rs 560 per crate for 30 cups, large eggs at Rs 545, medium eggs at Rs 500 per crate and small eggs at Rs 3,000 per crate (seven crates).

Association president Binod Pokharel said that demand for the market has increased as the production has decreased with the removal of bird flu infection and the death of many chickens. With the increase in demand, the price of eggs has increased. Pokharel said that the support price has been released on the basis of the rate given by the farms.

He said that farmers have not been able to get the cost price even when the price has increased. The cost of eggs is Rs 19.12 per egg. This comes to Rs 573.6 per crate.

Farmers have suffered huge losses due to bird flu. Farmers have been migrating from this profession for the past few years due to lack of adequate price. According to entrepreneurs, farmers have been dependent on bank loans due to decrease in production and disease in poultry in recent period.

Pokharel said that some chickens of some farmers had died due to bird flu in the recent period while the poultry farmers had to bear huge losses as they did not get the price of eggs.