Mumbai: The transport stalemate that has halted exports to the Middle East is affecting prices of essential food items in Mumbai. Eggs are marginally cheaper in the wholesale market due to thwarted exports. Meanwhile, edible oil costs are rising as imports have declined.However, unlike wholesale prices, the retail price of eggs has not decreased correspondingly. TOI spoke to retailers across the city and found that they were still charging Rs 66 to Rs 80 per dozen. The fare in Borivli-Dahisar alone was Rs 60 on Tuesday. An egg shop in Kalyan reduced rates from Rs 160 for two dozen to Rs 150 this week. Local shops continued to charge Rs 6.50 to Rs 7 each. Navi Mumbai buyers continued to pay Rs 70-75 per dozen, just a little less than the previous Rs 75-80. Traders said demand had weakened along with the disruption in LPG supplies, prompting restaurants to stop serving boiled eggs.Abdullah Hanif Dhaga of Isa Egg Mart, Jogeshwari, said: “The export of eggs to the Middle East has stopped due to the war. So the wholesale price has fallen from Rs 750 for 100 eggs to Rs 480. In fact, it fell to Rs 450 last week. In a month and a half, the market has dropped by Rs 300.”Abdul Rahim of House of Eggs said: “Prices have also dropped due to the change in weather and decreased demand.”Altaf Ahmed Khan of Ahmed Eggs Merchant said: “Rates have been reduced due to lower demand caused by the simultaneous fasts of Ramzan and Lent. There is less demand for eggs for breakfast. Additionally, exports to the Gulf have stopped, diverting more eggs to the local market. “In addition, several hotels and restaurants have closed due to LPG shortages, so consumption has fallen.”The beginning of summer usually causes a drop in consumption, so prices tend to drop. In the upcoming Chaitra Navratra on March 19, more people will avoid non-vegetarian foods, further reducing demand.Meanwhile, the price of edible oil is rising rapidly because imports are hampered by the Gulf War. Sunflower oil was Rs 15 more expensive per litre, while mustard oil went up by Rs 10. Blended oils also inched up on online markets from Rs 880 for a five-litre can to Rs 1,000.Traders said prices rose because sunflower oil imports had suffered. Mumbai APMC grain market director Nilesh Veera said wholesale rates increased by Rs 5 per liter in the last few days but then fell slightly. “So the increase is now Rs 2 to Rs 3 per litre, which proportionally raises retail prices,” he said. He ruled out internal shortages. Edible oils come from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine and Nepal, not just conflict zones, Veera said.Wholesaler Bhimji Bhanushali said foodgrains, including basmati rice, are cheaper due to weaker exports and higher domestic availability. “We continue to tell retailers not to create war hype as grain prices have remained constant,” Bhanushali said.