SHANGUMUKHAM: Egg prices in Kerala burgeoned to Rs 6. For months. The egg prices were stagnant below Rs 4 but the current jump to Rs 6 has choked the people in the state. The 'country chicken' egg prices also turned to Rs 8 while duck eggs are now sold at Rs 12.

The price jump comes at a time of school reopening in Kerala. The demand for eggs to be distributed in midday meal schemes has called for a price increase. The government normally favors Tamil Nadu for eggs.

Tamil Nadu is also the leading exporter of chicken meat to Kerala. The broiler coordination committee in TN has asked to cut down the production of broiler chicken. The price is also surging as many assume this is for the increased tolling booth tax in Kerala which makes neighboring Tamil Nadu charge higher prices for meat. One kilogram of chicken meat is now sold at Rs 160 in Kerala.