The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has raised concerns that the price of eggs could rise to N10,000 per crate if immediate measures are not taken to support the industry. Currently priced at N5,500 per crate, the cost is driven by escalating transportation fees due to the removal of fuel subsidies and the skyrocketing prices of poultry feed, according to the association.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja to mark World Egg Day, Musa Hakeem, Secretary of PAN’s FCT Chapter, explained, “If we consider the proportional increase in the costs of transportation and feed, we should be paying N10,000 per crate, but we’ve kept the price at N5,500 to be compassionate and mindful of the health importance of eggs.”
He further warned that the price could soon increase to N6,000 as feed prices continue to climb. Hakeem also noted that the last time the government provided any grain intervention was three years ago, adding that recent government relief measures were only announced in the media but not felt by farmers.
Hakeem called for the government to declare a state of emergency on egg production, citing a significant decline in protein consumption across the country. He stressed that importing eggs was not a sustainable option for Nigerians.
Jude Arikogu, CEO of Pest Agro Dealers, also expressed concerns about the practices of feed millers, noting, “A 25kg bag of feed is hardly up to 23kg when weighed.” He further highlighted that poultry farmers are struggling to secure financing from banks, which are reluctant to support the sector.
The Ex-officio officer of PAN at the national level, Ibrahim Lamidi, emphasized the challenging business environment, but reassured that the association is working to ensure that Nigerians continue to have access to eggs. He encouraged people to eat eggs as a healthier and cheaper alternative to meat, saying, “Eggs are more proteinous and affordable.”
The association urged the government to involve PAN in all future interventions, emphasizing that they have the data on all poultry farmers in the Federal Capital Territory.
