The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) is pointing fingers at low production and the high cost of feed for the consistent hike in egg prices. The PAN Lagos state chairman, Mr Mojeed Iyiola, and other stakeholders in the sector expressed their concerns in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Prices of eggs have risen significantly, making this common source of protein unaffordable for many Nigerians. A crate of eggs now sells for between N3,800 and N4,000 at the farm gate and over N4,500 in retail shops and markets, compared to N3,200 to N3,500 in May.
The skyrocketing cost of maize, soya, and groundnut cake has also contributed to the surge in egg prices. With raw material prices constantly on the rise, farmers are struggling to break even and some are even shutting down their farms due to the high cost of production.
PAN is urging the government to intervene and stabilize the situation before the poultry sector collapses entirely. Without immediate action, the luxury of consuming eggs may soon become a thing of the past in Nigeria.