According to The Hindu Business Line, though sources at the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) attribute it to the lower consumption on account of Thai Poosam, the price cut is seen by the industry as a move to boost consumption.

Meanwhile, broiler prices are ruling unchanged at last week’s Rs 78/kg.

Buoyed by a strong demand, higher feed prices and winter continuing to be harsh, broiler prices touched Rs 78 last week topping the previous record price of Rs 75/kg scaled in 2011.

Soaring feed prices that account for one-third of cost of production is also attributed as a reason to the steady rise in prices - a 75-kg bag of broiler feed cost Rs 2,702.50 in 2012 against Rs 1,894 the previous year.

NECC (Namakkal zone) has slashed the price of layer birds to Rs 39 (Rs 41).

Namakkal and Palladam prices are the benchmarks for eggs and chicken respectively in the country.