Egg prices have increased again with the start of Bhadra, marking the fifth price increase since the beginning of Shrawan as declining production continues to put pressure on supply.

The Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association has announced new farm-gate support prices for eggs, effective from Thursday, using Chitwan as the reference market.

Under the new price list, the price of an XL egg has increased to Rs 590 per crate, while large eggs now cost Rs 575 per crate and medium eggs Rs 535 per crate. The price of small eggs has remained unchanged at Rs 3,200 per box.

The association has increased the prices of XL, large and medium eggs by Rs 15 per crate in less than a week. Previously, from August 15, their prices had been set at Rs 575, Rs 560 and Rs 520 per crate respectively.

Egg prices have been rising steadily in recent weeks. During Shrawan alone, the association raised its support price four times. The price of XL eggs increased from Rs 525 per crate at the beginning of Shrawan to Rs 575 by the end of the month.

With the start of Bhadra, another Rs 15 has been added, taking the XL egg price to Rs 590 per crate.

Poultry businesses have attributed the continued increase mainly to falling egg production. Association Chairperson Binod Pokharel said farmers have been forced to raise prices after bird flu outbreaks resulted in the culling of large numbers of chickens.

Chicken deaths linked to the outbreaks have further reduced the number of laying birds and lowered overall egg production, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to meet market demand.

The repeated price increases therefore reflect a supply-side squeeze, with lower production meeting continued demand and pushing farm-gate egg prices higher.