The Poultry Association of Nigeria has raised concerns that the price of eggs may increase significantly, from the current N5,500 per crate to as much as N10,000, unless urgent government intervention is provided.
This warning comes as poultry farmers struggle with rising costs, driven by fuel subsidy removal and the continuous surge in feed prices.
According to The PUNCH, Secretary of PAN’s Federal Capital Territory chapter, Musa Hakeem, highlighted the critical situation facing the industry.
He called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on egg production, citing the negative impact on the nation’s protein intake.
“Given the rising costs of transportation and feed, we could easily be paying N10,000 per crate.
However, in an effort to show compassion and recognizing the essential role of eggs in health, we have maintained the price at N5,500,” Hakeem said.
The association pointed out that the last significant intervention in grain supply from the government occurred three years ago.
Hakeem stressed that while the government often announces relief measures for the food industry, poultry farmers have yet to see any tangible support.
“We read about government interventions in the papers, but on the ground, we’ve received no substantial aid in recent years,” he added, urging the authorities to work closely with PAN, which has comprehensive data on poultry farmers in the FCT.
Jude Arikogu, CEO of Pest Agro Dealers, expressed frustration over the inconsistent pricing of poultry feed. “Not only are the prices rising, but the feeds are also underweight. A bag labeled as 25kg is often only 23kg when weighed,” Arikogu said.
He also noted that accessing financial support from banks has become increasingly difficult, further exacerbating the challenges faced by poultry farmers.
Ex officio officer at the national level, Ibrahim Lamidi, emphasized that despite the difficult business environment, poultry farmers are committed to ensuring that eggs remain available to Nigerians.
“We are trying our best to keep eggs on tables despite the unfavorable conditions,” Lamidi stated.
He also urged Nigerians to prioritize eggs as a cheaper and more protein-rich alternative to meat.
