The winter time demand has pushed up prices of eggs in North India, especially New Delhi.

According to market analysts, egg prices have shot up by 20 per cent in Delhi.

The farm gate price of egg has gone up to Rs 204 per 100 pieces from the Rs 170 level on October 1.

The rate touched the season's highest of Rs 212 on November 12 and continued at that level for five days.

In the retail, eggs are being sold at Rs 30 a dozen compared with Rs 24 a dozen two weeks earlier.

Since this is just the beginning of winter, traders expect the egg prices to shoot up to Rs 35 a dozen in the next two months.

Even poultry farmers expect a rise in prices. During the winter season demand for eggs generally go up by 10-15 per cent leading to rise in prices.

National Egg Coordination Committee officials also attributed the price rise to high cost of soymeal, an important poultry feed. Soymeal prices were up by over 75 per cent this month.

While maize contributes 60 per cent of the poultry feed, soy comprises 25 per cent of the total feed.

The wholesale price of maize continues at around Rs 7.50 per kg compared to the rate in the year-ago period, soymeal prices have jumped to about Rs 15 a kg from Rs 8.50 a kg.