The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has issued a warning that without urgent support for poultry farmers, the price of eggs could rise from the current N5,500 to N10,000 per crate.
The association attributed this potential increase to the soaring transportation costs following the removal of the fuel subsidy, along with the indiscriminate price hikes in feed by millers.
Musa Hakeem, the Secretary of PAN’s FCT Chapter, made these remarks during a press briefing on World Egg Day in Abuja. He stressed that the Federal Government must urgently declare a state of emergency on egg production in the country due to a significant decline in protein intake, stating that Nigerians cannot rely on egg imports.
Hakeem noted, “If we consider the proportional increases in the factors mentioned earlier, we would be purchasing eggs at N10,000 per crate. However, out of compassion and recognizing the health importance of eggs, we have kept the price at the current N5,500.”
He cautioned that egg prices might soon rise to N6,000 due to the escalating cost of poultry feed. “To my knowledge, the last time we received any grain intervention from the government was three years ago. Other government efforts to alleviate food prices seem to exist only in newspaper headlines.”
Hakeem called on the government to involve PAN in their intervention strategies, as they possess data on all poultry farmers in the FCT. He expressed concern that the government has not adequately addressed the poultry subsector, which has faced neglect over time, leaving business owners to operate independently while hoping the industry does not collapse.
Jude Arikogu, the Chief Executive Officer of Pest Agro Dealers, voiced his concerns over the indiscriminate price increases for feed by millers and the low measurement of the feeds, stating, “A 25kg bag of feed often weighs less than 23kg on our scales.”
Arikogu also highlighted the difficulty poultry farmers face in securing financing from banks, as they are reluctant to lend to them.
Ibrahim Lamidi, an Ex Officio officer at the national level of the association, remarked that the business environment is not conducive for them, as they strive to ensure that Nigerians have access to eggs. He encouraged Nigerians to choose eggs over meat, noting that eggs are more protein-rich and affordable.
