Andhra Pradesh top in egg production



Andhra Pradesh occupies the top position in egg production in the country, contributing over 19% of the total production. But poultry businessmen say that the demand for eggs is still to pick up in the state which is why they are forced to export eggs to other states. 

According to the department of animal husbandry, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Haryana are among the top egg producers in the country cumulatively contributing nearly 65% of the total egg production in the country. 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommends the consumption of 180 eggs per capita per year. However, the actual consumption is much lower. While cities consume 90-105 eggs per capita per year, rural parts consume around 50-70. 
 
Members of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) said that egg and chicken consumption has dropped drastically since March. 

However, the demand did see some degree of upswing mid-April when eggs turned popular as a zinc-rich protein food which can keep the immune system strong enough to fight Covid-19. 

T Uday Bhaskar, chairman of NECC, Visakhapatnam zone, said that the committee is glad that Andhra Pradesh occupies the top spot in egg production in the country. However, he was disappointed with the fact that the per capita per year consumption in Andhra Pradesh is only around 80 to 100 while the ICMR recommends that the consumption be 180 eggs per capita per year. 

Eggs are cheaper than many other foods and contain nutrients, say NECC members. They said that many people think of eggs as non-vegetarian food and avoid consuming it regularly and even stop children from eating eggs. 

Meanwhile, many street vendors who used to sell fast food earlier have started selling eggs amid the pandemic. BS Naidu, one such street-food vendor said, “I used to sell panipuri earlier. But many people have stopped eating panipuri for fear of transmission of Covid-19. So now I have started selling eggs and sell nearly 300 eggs a day.” 
Poultry India
Poultry India
Poultry India
Poultry India
Poultry India