The peculiar rise of protein inflation (Livemint)

Live Mint published an article on how supply chain disruption in poultry continues, further hurting the nutritional standards of poorer households. An IFPRI study found high prices of eggs, in particular, also threaten to worsen the nutritional standards of poorer households. Cereals constitute about 47% of the average Indian diet and 70% of the calorie consumed by the poorest rural households—indicating an excess consumption of cheap carbohydrates and not enough of proteins, fruits and vegetables. Research Fellow Avinash Kishore stated, “A peculiar aspect of the Indian diet is that cheaper cereals like rice and wheat contribute about 70% of the protein consumed by households. In an ideal situation, we should be consuming more eggs, fish and pulses. And India is already paying a price for keeping rice and sugar cheap (plus junk food) which has led to a dual problem: the coexistence of hidden hunger due to protein and micronutrient deficiency alongside obesity. Often, the same person can be anemic and obese. The solution lies in stabilizing prices of proteins such as pulses by increasing availability.”