Poultry farmers, others lament hike in egg prices

The Poultry Association of Nigeria, along with various stakeholders in Lagos State, has raised alarms over the continuous rise in egg prices, urging the Federal Government to step in. They expressed their worries that eggs, once an affordable source of protein, are becoming increasingly out of reach for many Nigerians.

In interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos, Mr. Mojeed Iyiola, the Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, attributed the rising costs to the expensive raw materials needed for bird feed. He stated, “The price of egg crates keeps climbing due to high raw material costs. Despite government support and the allowance for maize imports, feed prices remain unchanged. This is largely because other essential ingredients for bird feed are not subsidized. While maize constitutes 60 to 65 percent of feed production, prices for ingredients like soya and methylene remain high. As a result, government assistance hasn’t translated into lower poultry prices.”

Iyiola noted that the lowest price for a crate of eggs at the farm gate was now N5,000. “On World Food Day, October 16, we sold eggs starting at N5,000 per crate. These ongoing price increases are making it difficult for many poultry farmers. The minimum price for a crate is between N4,300 and N4,500 for the smallest size, while standard crates are priced at N5,000 or more. Although maize prices have dropped to between N750,000 and N800,000 per tonne from a previous N900,000 to N1,000,000 last month, the overall situation remains challenging.”

Other industry players have pointed to inadequate egg production infrastructure, economic pressures, and various environmental factors as contributing to the difficulties faced by egg sellers and consumers. Mrs. Taiwo Bashiru, an egg vendor at Boundary Market, shared her experience, stating, “I’ve been in this business for over a decade, but I’ve never witnessed such drastic price increases. Demand is particularly high among low-income families. Our biggest hurdle is the inconsistent supply caused by feed and transportation costs.”

Ms. Bummi Olayinka, another egg seller, noted that inflation has heavily impacted the poultry sector. She revealed that a crate of eggs has surged from N4,600 three months ago to around N5,600, depending on the area. “This increase is due to rising poultry feed prices, transportation costs linked to fuel price hikes, and higher maintenance costs for the birds, all of which have escalated production expenses.”

Consumers are also feeling the strain. Mrs. Ajoke Folorunsho commented on the importance of eggs as a protein source, stating, “Eggs should be affordable since they are rich in protein. My family enjoys them boiled, but the price hikes have hit hard. I used to buy them regularly, but now many families can’t afford them.”

Mrs. Ifeoma Okoli echoed this sentiment, highlighting the broader issue of protein accessibility in diets. She remarked on the skyrocketing prices of meat, fish, beans, and eggs. “They suggest eating one egg daily, but how can families afford that under current conditions? A crate of eggs ranges from N5,900 to N6,000, and individual eggs cost between N250 and N300 depending on the area.”

Mrs. Adegbite Samiat, who owns an egg depot in Amuwo Odofin, called for government support in the poultry sector. “If the government supports poultry farmers, it could help stabilize prices. Additionally, disease outbreaks severely impact egg production. Providing vaccines and medication would mitigate these risks,” Adegbite concluded.