The end of the year offers some cheer to poultry farmers, according to Hindu Business Line.

Much fluctuation is being witnessed with egg prices, which touched a record high (2.90 a piece) in November and is ruling at a year's low in December – 2.05 rupees (INR) a piece.

Despite the austere Sabarimala season in the South, egg prices are ruling steady at the farm gate level, thanks to better off-take from the northern markets.

Yesterday (9 December), the Namakkal zone of the National Egg Coordination Committee raised the price by 35 paise to INR2.50 per egg.

A week ago, the committee had slashed the price by 40 paise to INR2.05. Namakkal egg prices are seen as the benchmark in the country.

The hike is surprising considering the onset of Sabarimala season (when consumption of poultry products is low in the South) that extends until 15 January.

P. Selvaraj, Chairman of NECC's Namakkal zone explained: "The reason for the cut in prices earlier this week was to prevent the accumulation of stocks.

"Although there is good demand from the North, we could not move the eggs because of incessant rains. So, we lowered the prices to perk up consumption here.

"Now that the rains have stopped and the festive season of Christmas is setting in, we have increased the prices on better demand."

The Palladam-based Broiler Coordination Committee has increased the wholesale price of live-birds to INR43 per kilo from last week's INR37.

NECC's layer rates (for birds of 1.3kg) too have gone up this week to INR34 from INR27 per kilo last week.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's decision to import up to 2,000 tonnes of chicken from India to meet shortages ahead of Christmas holiday season, too has come as a boost to the trade, reports Hindu Business Line.

Reports said that the Sri Lankan Government was placing an order for 500 tonnes with the balance to be imported before the holiday season. Sri Lanka produces about 9,800 tonnes a month but there is a demand-supply gap of one million one-day old chicks.