Panaji, Dec 4 (TNN): With the Christmas season fast approaching, the price of eggs is spiraling high in Goa at 52 per dozen.

The essential ingredient in Christmas goodies from puddings to cakes and other festive delicacies is expected to cost 60 a dozen or more by December 20, 2013, according to vendors.

"Eggs were priced at 48 per dozen less than a fortnight ago and today it costs 52 per dozen. This sort of a price rise is expected as demand goes up during December," a salesperson at Inacio Fernandes store in Panaji market said.

Vendors said that the demand for eggs goes up by close to 50% around Christmas and New Year, which leads to a demand and supply gap.

"The prices of eggs are artificially hiked during Christmas each year. How do you explain the shortage of eggs only during this time of the year. It is the same with pulses during Diwali. There is no supplement for eggs when making Christmas sweets, so there is no option left for families but to prepare for the extra cost. The government should try to control the price of eggs as this is a nutritional necessity for children," Merlyn Francis of Dona Paula, a mother of four, said.

The price of chicken is also set to go up around Christmas, as it is another staple during the season.

"Chicken costs 100 per kilo at present. The price is likely to cross 120 a kilo around Christmas," Ibrahim Bepari, a retailer at the Panaji market, said.

John Fernandes of Delicious Caterers said, "Orders for weddings and other Christmas parties are placed at least two to three months in advance. But there is no way to know how much the rates of eggs and chicken will go up in advance. Dealers also do not take orders for eggs and chicken in advance and we have to buy at any hiked rate. But our rates for dishes are already fixed with the client and this brings down our profit."