The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has issued a stark warning that the price of eggs could skyrocket to as much as N10,000 per crate if immediate measures are not taken to support poultry farmers. This caution comes amidst rising costs attributed to factors such as the removal of fuel subsidies and unregulated hikes in feed prices by millers.
Speaking at a press briefing commemorating World Egg Day in Abuja, Musa Hakeem, Secretary of PAN’s FCT Chapter, emphasized the urgency of government intervention to avert a crisis in egg production. He stressed the crucial role of eggs in the Nigerian diet and expressed concerns over the unsustainable dependence on imported eggs due to local production challenges.
“If we should go by the proportional increase in the prices of these factors mentioned earlier, we will be buying eggs at N10,000 per crate,” Hakeem stated, highlighting the potential severity of the situation. Despite these pressures, the current price remains at N5,500 per crate, reflecting efforts to mitigate the impact on consumers.
Hakeem criticized the government’s neglect of the poultry sector, citing a lack of recent interventions to support farmers amid escalating costs. “The last time we received any grains intervention from the government was three years ago,” he lamented, urging greater collaboration between PAN and governmental bodies to stabilize the industry.
Jude Arikogu, CEO of Pest Agro Dealers, echoed concerns over the rising costs of poultry feed, noting discrepancies in weight and difficulties in securing financial support from banks. “Poultry farmers are unable to raise finance from the banks as banks are not willing to finance them,” Arikogu lamented, underscoring the financial strain faced by farmers.
Ibrahim Lamidi, an Ex officio officer of PAN at the national level, emphasized the association’s commitment to ensuring a stable supply of eggs despite challenging business conditions. He advocated for increased public awareness of the nutritional benefits and affordability of eggs compared to meat, urging Nigerians to prioritize egg consumption.
In conclusion, stakeholders in the poultry industry have called for urgent government intervention to stabilize egg prices and support local production. With consumers facing the prospect of higher costs, the future of Nigeria’s poultry sector hinges on decisive actions to alleviate the financial burdens on farmers and ensure food security across the nation.