Poultry farmers in Nigeria have raised concerns about a potential surge in egg prices, warning that the cost per crate could rise from N5,500 to as high as N10,000. The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) attributes this possible increase to soaring transportation expenses following the removal of fuel subsidies and a sharp rise in feed prices due to actions by feed millers.
Speaking at a World Egg Day press conference in Abuja, Musa Hakeem, Secretary of PAN’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, called for the government to declare a state of emergency in egg production.
He cautioned that without immediate intervention, the price hike is inevitable, further reducing Nigerians’ access to protein. Hakeem explained that although the actual cost of production would justify a price of N10,000 per crate, farmers have kept it at N5,500 to ease the burden on consumers.
He criticized the lack of significant government aid, noting that the last grain support for poultry farmers was received three years ago, and called for stronger collaboration between the government and PAN, which has detailed data on poultry farmers for effective interventions.
Agro dealer Jude Arikogu also highlighted the poor quality and underweight poultry feed bags, exacerbating the challenges farmers face as operational costs rise. The poultry sector’s warning underscores the need for urgent measures to stabilize production and keep essential protein sources affordable for Nigerians.