By Mario Deepromoter
Poultry farmers in Nigeria have cried over a looming increase in egg prices, with projections suggesting a hike from the current N5,500 to as much as N10,000 per crate.
The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) attributes the potential surge to rising transportation costs following fuel subsidy removal and the sharp increase in feed prices driven by millers.
During a press conference held in Abuja to mark World Egg Day, Musa Hakeem, Secretary of PAN’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, urged the government to declare a state of emergency in the egg production sector. He warned that without urgent government intervention, the price hike would become unavoidable, further exacerbating the decline in protein consumption among Nigerians.
The proportional rise in production costs points to a price of N10,000 per crate, but we have kept prices at N5,500 out of consideration for consumers,” Hakeem explained. He also lamented the absence of significant governmental support, stating that the last grain assistance to poultry farmers was received three years ago. Hakeem called for stronger collaboration between the government and PAN, noting that the association has extensive data on poultry farmers that can be leveraged for more targeted interventions.
Additionally, agro dealer Jude Arikogu highlighted issues related to the quality and quantity of poultry feed, pointing out that some 25kg bags often fall short of the specified weight, adding to the burden on farmers already struggling with rising operational costs.
The poultry industry’s warning underscores the need for immediate action to stabilize the sector, ensuring that the cost of essential protein sources remains accessible to Nigerians, while also sustaining local poultry production.