Unusual rise in prices of vegetable during the last few weeks and low temperatures across most parts of the country have resulted in eggs prices rising to a record high, reports Financial Express of India. As consumers shifted their preference towards egg, the retail prices of the product have skyrocketed particularly in northern India.

According to Poultry Federation of India (PFI), the wholesale egg price in Delhi rose to INR3.50 per piece on 11 January against INR2.85 just three weeks back, due to which the retail price of eggs rose to INR4.60 each.

For the first time, retail price of eggs has risen to INR55 a dozen from INR40 in just one month.

"During winters, poultry product prices go up due to higher demand but this time, stronger than usual demand because of costly vegetables the rise has been more," Ricky Thaper, treasurer, Poultry Federation of India (PFI) told the newspaper. Egg prices have increased in all other key cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad as well.

"Although rise in egg prices have been higher this year, but still this is part of larger trend during winter months," an official with National Egg Coordination Committee (NBCC) said.

The official said the rise in prices would continue until the end of January, after which it should fall as demand recedes during the summer months. Although egg prices have risen sharply in the last few weeks, farmers have been unable to cash in on the increase as feed prices have also risen simultaneously.

Meanwhile, broiler price in Delhi continue to rise because of rise in demand following festive months when consumption declines because of religious reasons, reports Financial Express. India is world's fifth largest broiler producer with an estimated production of 2.3 million tonne of broiler meat per annum.